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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer versus Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream .

Last updated on September 13, 2023. Published on October 30, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain 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 Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

Starts at $38.00

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

BHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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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.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel 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.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

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.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 34.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 37.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 38.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

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
45% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
5% 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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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer 38 ingredients

Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
MeaganClare's avatar

MeaganClare

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Great moisturizer for summer
This cream is great for oily skin. I discontinued using this as I needed a more powerful moisturizer to repair my...

Great moisturizer for summer
This cream is great for oily skin. I discontinued using this as I needed a more powerful moisturizer to repair my skin's moisture barrier, but I think it will be great in the summer and for those without the same issue with chemically drying their skin's top layer, lol

TinaVidovic_79's avatar

TinaVidovic_79

7 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

not too greasy, well under makeup, skin loves it

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