Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser 63 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser 63 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
C12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingJasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCanarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Guaiacum Officinale Wood Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Astrocaryum Murumuruate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, C12-13 Pareth-3, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Myristic Acid, Trideceth-12, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Linoleic Acid, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Guaiacum Officinale Wood Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Disodium EDTA, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Linolenic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Isethionate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycine Soja Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Paraffinum Liquidum, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 HydroxideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser 63 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser 63 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser 21 ingredients
I have very dry, sensitive, mature skin and have been using this creamy cleanser for many years. It is gentle and non drying but still removes my makeup well. I use a separate remover for mascara and use an oil cleanser as a first cleanse if I have on waterproof sunscreen. But for many years I just used this cleanser and it removed everything well, so an oil cleanser probably is unnecessary TBH. I Show more
Really gentle but effective, doesn't break me out like most cleansers do
