Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer versus Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on August 21, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones 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
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Benefits
This product contains 7 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Water • Butylene Glycol • Ethylhexyl Palmitate • Cetyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil • 1,2-Hexanediol • Glyceryl Stearate • Squalane • Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate • Erythritol • Sorbitol • Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract • Ceramide NP • Trehalose • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Hamamelis Virginiana Extract • Citrus Junos Fruit Extract • Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract • Zinc PCA • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate • Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate • Potassium Hyaluronate • Mandelic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Betaine • Dipropylene Glycol • Pentylene Glycol • Stearyl Alcohol • Carbomer • Tromethamine • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Squalane • Glycerin • Pentylene Glycol • Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate • Glyceryl Stearate • Stearyl Alcohol • Hyaluronic Acid • Ceramide EOP • Ceramide Ng • Ceramide NP • Ceramide As • Ceramide AP • Carnosine • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Phytosterols • Caprylyl Glycol • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11 • 1,2-Hexanediol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 NPHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 11.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind to large amounts of water. This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing,
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.
The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 31.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 34.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholHero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 35.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer 38 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
sword
Extremely calming + supports skin barrier + non-comedogenic!
This is my absolute favorite moisturizer. It's a light, lotion type moisturizer that...
Extremely calming + supports skin barrier + non-comedogenic!
This is my absolute favorite moisturizer. It's a light, lotion type moisturizer that absorbs very well, and should work well for all skin types. It has glycerin (moisturizing), squalane (anti-inflammatory, hydrating), hyaluronic acid (hydrating), and 5 ceramides (skin barrier boosting/repairing + calming). It doesn't have a sticky or oily finish and it layers very well with other products.
AishaLanderos
A little too light for my dry skin, I felt it absorbed within 15 minutes of me putting it on. Also, started to sting a bit after daily use for...
A little too light for my dry skin, I felt it absorbed within 15 minutes of me putting it on. Also, started to sting a bit after daily use for about a month
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