Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence Versus Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer
Updated on September 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and 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
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 ingredients
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer 38 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 ingredients
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Papain
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Protease
Exfoliating
Subtilisin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Water, Lactic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tartaric Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Yeast Extract, Propylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Papain, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Chlorphenesin, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Protease, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-8
HumectantOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Rosa Centifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, PEG-8, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Centella Asiatica Extract, Linoleic Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Extract, Lactic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Hydroxystearic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 HydroxideTocopherol (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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 ingredients
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
