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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer versus Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream .

Last updated on September 13, 2023. Published on September 28, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer

Starts at $47.00
Shop

Buy Skin Smoothing Cream

Starts at $47.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Scar Healing

Concerns

Irritating (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 11.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 12.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.

7
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Liked

Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.

Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 36.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

32% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 7 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream.

See 8 alternatives
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