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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer versus EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex .

Published on January 20, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

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 oils, 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.

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

Shop

Buy AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

Starts at $35.93
Shop

Buy Barrier Renewal Complex

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides (5)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (9)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (7)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient

We don't have a description for Ethylhexyl Isononanoate.

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Humectant

We don't have a description for Piptadenia Colubrina Peel Extract.

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 25.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 11.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 4.

7
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 16.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 38.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 41.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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 EDTA

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 44.

10
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

EltaMD, Inc AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.

EltaMD, Inc Barrier Renewal Complex contains this as ingredient number 37.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

33% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

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