Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane versus BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel .
Last updated on February 19, 2024. Published on October 04, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, ceramides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones
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
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
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 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
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 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Squalane • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Sucrose Stearate • Stearyl Alcohol • Peg-8 Stearate • Myristyl Myristate • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil • Phenoxyethanol • Persea Gratissima Oil • Glyceryl Stearate • Cetyl Alcohol • Oryza Sativa Bran Oil • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Chlorphenesin • Stearic Acid • Palmitic Acid • Carbomer • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Hydroxide • Tocopherol • Glycine Soja Oil • Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract • Myristic Acid • Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine • Salicylic Acid • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Citric Acid
Water • Glycerin • Alcohol • Dimethicone • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil • Hydroxyethyl Urea • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Nasturtium Officinale Extract • C12-13 Pareth-23 • C12-13 Pareth-3 • Ceramide NP • Carbomer • Zinc Gluconate • Glycine Soja Oil • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Hydroxide • Vinyldimethicone • 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol • Cholesterol • Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Disodium EDTA • Salicylic Acid • Vitreoscilla Ferment • Citric Acid • Xanthan Gum • Menthoxypropanediol • Ethylhexylglycerin • BHA • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin • CI 19140 • CI 42090 • Linalool • Limonene • Citral • Parfum
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 WaterKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 1.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 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 GlycerinKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 2.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
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.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 3.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil is oil from the kernels of the Apricot, Prunus armeniaca L., Rosaceae. This oil is non-fragrant and non-volatile.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
Apricot Kernel Oil also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 10.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.
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.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 11.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 33.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 17.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 34.
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.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 20.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
Xanthan 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 GumKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 24.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 27.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 25.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 29.
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 HydroxideKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 26.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 17.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 27.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 31.
Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 28.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.
Salicylic 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 AcidKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 32.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 24.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidKiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane contains this as ingredient number 35.
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel contains this as ingredient number 26.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 39 ingredients
sarape
I think it's a very confusing product: You will asume that's safe for acne because it's a very lightweight gel formula, smells super fresh and has...
I think it's a very confusing product: You will asume that's safe for acne because it's a very lightweight gel formula, smells super fresh and has Salicylic Acid, but the truth is it has several oils and Shea Butter on it, which in my case totally broke me out. Plus, it also has a lot of fragrance, so it's not so great for sensitive skin. I guess it might be good for those more into the dry/normal spectrum. So I won't repurchase, but if I did, at least I would be happy because it's not very pricey.
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