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 No7 Early Defence Day Cream .
Published on June 06, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free day moisturizers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, peptides, retinoid, SPF, 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
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, parabens 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.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Price
Ingredient Info
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 69 ingredients
No7 Early Defence Day Cream 43 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 69 ingredients
No7 Early Defence Day Cream 43 ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 69 ingredients
No7 Early Defence Day Cream 43 ingredients
Octocrylene 9.4% • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.9% • Water • Glycerin • Butyloctyl Salicylate • Diethylhexyl Maleate • Jojoba Esters • Cyclopentasiloxane • C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters • Phenyl Trimethicone • Stearic Acid • Stearyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Propylene Glycol • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Sorbitan Stearate • Dimethicone • Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline • Peg-100 Stearate • Polysorbate 60 • Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose Ether • Hydrolyzed Malt Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Caprylyl Glycol • Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate • Bisabolol • Cetearyl Methicone • Hydrolyzed Elastin • Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract • Peg-8 • Alcohol • Triethanolamine • Sorbitol • Lecithin • Collagen Amino Acids • Peg-7m • Carbomer • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Phospholipids • Silica • Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract • Glycyrrhetinic Acid • Butylene Glycol • Tetrasodium EDTA • Hydrolyzed Rice Protein • Disodium EDTA • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Pvp • Phenoxyethanol • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract • Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract • Chlorphenesin • Methylisothiazolinone • Hyaluronic Acid • Polyquaternium-24 • Ilex Aquifolium Leaf Extract • Sodium Oleanolate • Sodium Ursolate • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Euphrasia Officinalis Extract • Echinacea Angustifolia Extract • Retinyl Palmitate • Diazolidinyl Urea • Imidazolidinyl Urea • CI 19140 • Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 • Methylparaben • CI 14700
Water • Glycerin • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Octocrylene • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • Cetearyl Glucoside • Dimethicone • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Alcohol Denat. • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Methylparaben • Parfum • Butylene Glycol • Dimethiconol • Propylene Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ethylparaben • Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Retinyl Palmitate • Hydrolyzed Rice Protein • Tetrasodium EDTA • T-Butyl Alcohol • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol • Medicago Sativa Extract • Potassium Hydroxide • Carbomer • Polysorbate 20 • Morus Alba Leaf Extract • Silica • Isopropyl Myristate • Sodium Benzoate • Tocopherol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 1.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 2.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 WaterMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 3.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 4.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 14.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.
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 Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 17.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 AcetateMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 37.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.
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 SilicaMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 40.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 37.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 43.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.
Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 44.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 45.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.
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 Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 49.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.
Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 63.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenMerle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 68.
No7 Early Defence Day Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 69 ingredients
No7 Early Defence Day Cream 43 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Merle Norman Preventage Firming Defense Creme Normal/Dry Broad Spectrum SPF 15 69 ingredients
No7 Early Defence Day Cream 43 ingredients
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.
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