Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment versus Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother .
Published on March 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, peptides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
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.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment 57 ingredients
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother 47 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment 57 ingredients
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother 47 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment 57 ingredients
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother 47 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Butylene Glycol • Glycereth-26 • Squalane • Stearyl Olivate • Octyldodecyl Olivate • Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate • Dimethicone • Stearic Acid • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Oligopeptide • Pantothenic Acid • Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract • Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract • Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract • Humulus Lupulus Extract • Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract • Viscum Album Leaf Extract • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Achillea Millefolium Extract • Glycine Soja Sterols • Adenosine • Urea • Allantoin • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin • Coco-Glucoside • Mica • Titanium Dioxide • CI 77492 • Lecithin • Sodium Benzoate • Lactic Acid • Polysorbate 60 • Carbomer • Polysorbate 20 • Polymethyl Methacrylate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Dimethiconol • Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Arginine • Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract • Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea • Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer • Dextran • Disodium EDTA • Isomalt • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Cyclopentasiloxane • Isodecyl Neopentanoate • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Isohexadecane • Stearic Acid • Cetyl Alcohol • Nylon-12 • Glyceryl Stearate • Stearyl Alcohol • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Serine • Glycine • Proline • Palmitoyl Carnitine • Alanine • Glutamic Acid • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract • Centella Asiatica Extract • Retinyl Palmitate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ascorbyl Palmitate • PCA • Phospholipids • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Echinacea Purpurea Extract • Peg-20 Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Bisabolol • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Xanthan Gum • Ethoxydiglycol • Lecithin • Glucose • Lactic Acid • Triethanolamine • Propylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Diazolidinyl Urea
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 5.
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.
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 6.
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.
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 11.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 13.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 8.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a 3-amino acid peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a signal peptide. This means it tells our skin to create collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 can help reduce wrinkles and make the skin look more youthful.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 14.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 16.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 24.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 31.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Learn more about LecithinDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 37.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 40.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 39.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 42.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateDr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 48.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 27.
Disodium 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 EDTADr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 54.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 45.
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.
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment contains this as ingredient number 56.
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother contains this as ingredient number 46.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment 57 ingredients
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Dr. Denese SkinScience Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother Advanced Treatment 57 ingredients
Merle Norman Wrinkle Smoother 47 ingredients
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