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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer .

Last updated on February 09, 2024. Published on March 28, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides 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 and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer

Shop

Buy Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer

Starts at $32.00

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 E
Niacinamide
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (4)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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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

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing
Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.

5
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

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.

6
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.

7
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Lecithin

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 25.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.

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.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 35.

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.

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

40% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
12% 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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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer 35 ingredients

Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Oily (1) Sticky (1)

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer.

See 50 alternatives
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