No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF 30 Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream With Broad Spectrum SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTribehenin
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Tribehenin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylparaben, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide 10.5%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentLecithin
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 10.5%, Water, Cyclomethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Squalane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lecithin, Retinol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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