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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream versus Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen .

Last updated on August 07, 2023. Published on September 23, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe night moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances 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.

Night Moisturizer American Brand United States
Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

Shop

Buy Nighttime Recovery Cream

Shop

Buy Genius Sleeping Collagen

Starts at $98.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (2)
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 17.

5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 29.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream contains this as ingredient number 49.

Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen contains this as ingredient number 34.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen.

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