Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer with Aloe Versus Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer
Updated on December 11, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
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
Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer with Aloe 22 ingredients
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer with Aloe 22 ingredients
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dicaprylyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays Starch, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Glycine Soja Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Steareth-20, Steareth-2, Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Menthyl Lactate, Titanium Dioxide
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinDicaprylyl Ether is created from caprylic acid. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Ether is non-comedogenic. It helps soften and smooth the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, helping to hydrate the skin.
Dicaprylyl Ether gives a non-greasy feel and better spreadability to products.
Learn more about Dicaprylyl EtherSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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 HydroxideXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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