Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream Versus The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream
Updated on December 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
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 Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 29 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthoxypropanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sarcosine, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Inulin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
Emollient
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantBasic Violet 2
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Carbomer, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Inulin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Lecithin, Zinc Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Citric Acid, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 60730, Basic Violet 2
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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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When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 29 ingredients
Reviews
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