Proactiv Post Acne Scar Gel Versus Cicamed Scar
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin Protecting
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Squalane
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Ethoxydiglycol, Butylene Glycol, Bakuchiol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Squalane, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Dextran, Tripeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
