Dr. Levy Pollution Shield 5PF Versus Nip + Fab Vitamin C Fix Hybrid Gel Cream 5%
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily 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 fragrances, oils and silicones
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
Dr. Levy Pollution Shield 5PF 27 ingredients
Nip + Fab Vitamin C Fix Hybrid Gel Cream 5% 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Levy Pollution Shield 5PF 27 ingredients
Nip + Fab Vitamin C Fix Hybrid Gel Cream 5% 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSqualane
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPhenyl Trimethicone, Water, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ubiquinone, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Squalane, Madecassoside, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Limonene
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidTocopheryl 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 AcetateSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is more gentle than ascorbic acid. It is also more stable when exposed to light and oxygen.
Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. As an antioxidant, this ingredient also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.
VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.
In a 2011 study, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate was found to have antibacterial properties. This may help treat acne.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Parfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
