Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 - US Versus Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream
Updated on October 02, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 24 ingredients
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 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
Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 24 ingredients
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 1.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 1.3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Potassium Stearate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Stearamide Amp
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 1.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 1.3%, Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Stearamide Amp
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Myreth-3 Myristate
Emollient
PEG-12
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myreth-3 Myristate, PEG-12, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, BHT, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acetate, Sucrose Distearate, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinDimethicone 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 DimethiconeBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTXanthan 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 GumDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 24 ingredients
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 24 ingredients
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Instant soothing cream - a skinsaver
I've been using this one since years and always have one stored for emergencies mostly caused by some over-irritation (retinoids, facial tratments). It has an instant soothing and calming effect, and relieves itchy skin in no time.
So soothing and made redness go away after one application!! Works great with prescription retinol
