Versus

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin Versus Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50

General Moisturizer
Sunscreen
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on July 24, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
Buffering

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 Hydroxide
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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 Gum

When to use

656 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
24 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
88% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin 16 ingredients

2.9 /5
from 11 ratings
Light (4) Works Well (3) Irritating (3)
Squidbang's avatar

Squidbang

2 years ago
Review

Filmy
This leaves a bit of a filmy feel on my skin once it soaks in. Doesn't pill under sunscreen, though, and feels great when being applied.

AndieGlass's avatar

AndieGlass

1 year ago
Review

I love it. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or greasy like some other products. I feel like it works perfectly on my oily skin because it helps reduce how shiny my forehead can get throughout the day.

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Paula's Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 30 ingredients

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