La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich - France Versus Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones 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
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich 18 ingredients
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich 18 ingredients
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Isocetyl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Mannose
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium PCA
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
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 WaterIsocetyl Stearate is an ester of isocetyl alcohol and stearic acid.
Stearate esters are low in viscosity and are oily by nature. Once applied, these stearate esters create a film on your skin. As an emollient, Isocetyl Stearate helps soften and smooth your skin.
One study found Isocetyl Stearate is non-irritating to human skin. However, another study found Isocetyl Stearate to be pore-clogging or comedogenic.
Learn more about Isocetyl StearateButyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich 18 ingredients
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Rich 18 ingredients
When my skin is really irritated/sensitive and my barrier is not okay, this is a go-to. Extremely soothing.
I’ve been using this on and off (mostly on) for about 15 years now and I still love it, even though it’s no longer my everyday moisturiser (which it was for the first 5-ish years). During this time I have always had at least one tube of it in my bathroom cabinet at all times and I always buy a new one as soon as it’s empty or nearly empty. That says something, to me at least!
I find it very Show more
