Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream Versus IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain peptides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and silicones
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
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream 37 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream 37 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Betaine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Caprylyl Methicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Adenosine, Capryloyl Glycine, Menthoxypropanediol, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lactate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Stearyl Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Methyl Undecylenoyl Dipeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 60, Alcohol Denat., Phenethyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Methyl Undecylenoyl Dipeptide-16, Disodium Phosphate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Citral, Tocopherol, Ergothioneine
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 GlycerinAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSqualane 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 SqualaneTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream 37 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream 37 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
While this crème is absolutely amazing as it makes my face feels very soft after using it and helped even out some dark spots I had, it also contains palm oil (Elaeis Guineensis Oil). This company claims to use "responsibly sourced ingredients", so this is incredibly deceptive.
Besides that it's also ridiculously expensive, so I won't be using it again once I finished my current jar.
