My Dream Skin Ceramide + Niacinamide Barrier Defense And Dark Spot Fader Gel Cream Versus Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Saccharide Isomerate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alpha-Arbutin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Ceramide EOP, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingChrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylamide, Synthetic Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolC13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
