Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus Dermalogica Active Moist
Updated on July 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates
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
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 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
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Isohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Propanediol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Myristic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Sticky :(
This is the best, and most unproblematic moisturiser I have used. It is hydrating, fragrance free, oil free, alcohol free. However, powerful enough to do what I need it to. My skin has been so much better since using this. I have been using it for around a year. I always come back to it, no matter what else I try.
