Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF30 Moisturizer Versus Tropic Skincare Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCoconut Alkanes
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Capramide
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingSclareolide
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Coconut Alkanes, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethyl Capramide, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Saccharide Isomerate, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Sclareolide, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil
AntioxidantFragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientPectin
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientReseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingBoswellia Carterii Gum Oil
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Beta-Glucan, Ectoin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Pectin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Reseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum