Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream Versus Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream versus Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer .

Published on October 21, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer

General Moisturizer British Brand United Kingdom

General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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Buy Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream

Starts at $13.99

Shop

Buy Brilliant-C Moisturizer

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream 26 ingredients

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream 26 ingredients

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger (2)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (2)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger

Irritating

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (3)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream 26 ingredients

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients

Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Isohexadecane • Propylene Glycol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Caprylyl Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydrogenated Polybutene • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer • Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate • Stearic Acid • BHA • Disodium EDTA • Sodium PCA • Saccharide Isomerate • T-Butyl Alcohol • Potassium Chloride • Sodium Chloride • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Benzoate • Lactic Acid

Water • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Alcohol Denat. • Glycerin • Dipropylene Glycol • Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Morus Bombycis Root Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract • Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract • Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Lecithin • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Dimethicone • Petrolatum • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Peg-20 • Peg-150 • Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer • Propylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Citric Acid • Sodium Chloride • Potassium Hydroxide • Sodium Citrate • Phenoxyethanol • Methylparaben • Propylparaben • CI 77015 • CI 77891

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.

Dimethicone

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.

Butylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.

Propylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.

Tocopheryl Acetate

What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.

Disodium EDTA

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.

Sodium Chloride

What it does: Masking

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 30.

Citric Acid

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.

Sodium Citrate

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Simple Skincare Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.