Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream versus NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream .

Last updated on August 15, 2023. Published on September 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain 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.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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

AHA (3)
PHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (5)
Acne Trigger (5)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Glycol

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Buffering

We don't have a description for Ammonium Hydroxide.

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
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.

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.

Magnesium aluminum silicate is used for enhancing texture and as an absorbent. Due to its large molecular size, it is unable to be absorbed into the skin.

Like other types of silica, this ingredient can be used to thicken a product. As an absorbent, it may be used to absorb extra water or help prevent clumping.

Learn more about Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

9
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

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Methylparaben

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

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

27% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
13% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream.

See 2 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 33 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream.

See 33 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...