Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. ENERGY - Super Potent Age-Defying Intense Serum Versus Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
This moisturizer is formulated around Dimethicone and Tocopherol to hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Propanediol, Betaine, Diglycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, PEG-8, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Adenosine, Xylitol, Trehalose, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 14700, CI 60730, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10.7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3.2%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 3.9%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10.7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3.2%, Octocrylene 6%, Benzophenone-3 3.9%, Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Tocopherol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8 Laurate, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita Extract, Propylene Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water
