Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Ultra-Gentle Facial Moisturizer Versus Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Face Moisturizer
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Ultra-Gentle Facial Moisturizer 21 ingredients
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Face Moisturizer 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Ultra-Gentle Facial Moisturizer 21 ingredients
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Face Moisturizer 25 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-10 Soy Sterol
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDiazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Glycine Soja Sterols, Isopropyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Sorbitan Olivate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.
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 GlycerinMethylparaben 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 MethylparabenPropylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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