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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 versus Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser .

Published on February 04, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Shop

Buy Skintelligent Cleanser

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
spf rating
15
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

Chemical UV Filter (2)
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (8)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

Octocrylene 9.4%Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.9%WaterGlycerinButyloctyl SalicylateDiethylhexyl MaleateJojoba EstersCyclopentasiloxaneC10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol EstersPhenyl TrimethiconeStearic AcidStearyl AlcoholGlyceryl PolymethacrylatePropylene GlycolBiosaccharide Gum-1Sorbitan StearateDimethiconeDipalmitoyl HydroxyprolinePeg-100 StearatePolysorbate 60 Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose EtherHydrolyzed Malt ExtractTocopheryl AcetateCaprylyl GlycolBis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy BenzylmalonateBisabololCetearyl MethiconeHydrolyzed ElastinHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig ExtractPeg-8AlcoholTriethanolamineSorbitolLecithinCollagen Amino AcidsPeg-7mCarbomerDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerPhospholipidsSilicaCalluna Vulgaris Flower ExtractGlycyrrhetinic AcidButylene GlycolTetrasodium EDTAHydrolyzed Rice ProteinDisodium EDTACamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPvpPhenoxyethanolCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractGinkgo Biloba Leaf ExtractRuscus Aculeatus Root ExtractChlorphenesinMethylisothiazolinoneHyaluronic AcidPolyquaternium-24Ilex Aquifolium Leaf ExtractSodium OleanolateSodium UrsolateAscorbyl PalmitateEuphrasia Officinalis ExtractEchinacea Angustifolia ExtractRetinyl PalmitateDiazolidinyl UreaImidazolidinyl UreaCI 19140Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12MethylparabenCI 14700

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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 Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

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 Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 46.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 23.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.

Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may break down skin cells. Antioxdants help reduce signs of aging.

Ascorbyl Palmitate is a stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Ascorbyl Palmitate

Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 60.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. It is created from palmitic acid and retinol.

This ingredient has antioxidant and exfoliating properties. Like other types of retinols, retinyl palmitate increases cell turnover. Removing dead skin cells and encouraging the growth of new ones improves skin tone and unclogs pores. This in turn promotes brighter looking skin and even skin texture.

As an antioxidant, retinyl palmitate helps neutralize free-radical molecules. These molecules have the potential to damage skin cells. Thus, antioxidants may help with anti-aging.

Retinyl palmitate can be good for be good for oily skin by helping to unclog pores. However, it may not be good for dry skin and fungal acne.

After using this product, you should follow up with sunscreen.

This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.

Learn more about Retinyl Palmitate

Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 63.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

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

23% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
37% 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.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15.

See 1 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 7 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merle Norman Skintelligent Cleanser.

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