Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer versus Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer .
Published on November 27, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
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
Ingredient Info
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer 32 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer 32 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Squalane • Triisononanoin • Xanthan Gum • Bisabolol • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium PCA • Carbomer • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Caprylyl Glycol • Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Cholesteryl Chloride • Cholesteryl Nonanoate • Sodium Hydroxide • Sorbic Acid • Potassium Sorbate • Tocopherol • Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Phytic Acid • Spirulina Platensis Extract • Acetyl Tributyl Citrate • Phenyl T-Butylnitrone • Citric Acid
Water • Glycerin • Saccharide Isomerate • Propanediol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Polyamide-5 • Dimethicone • Hydroxyacetophenone • Polysilicone-11 • Squalane • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Laureth-12 • Cetearyl Olivate • Glyceryl Stearate • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sorbitan Olivate • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Cetearyl Alcohol • Lactobacillus Ferment • Tocopherol • Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Silybum Marianum Extract • Betula Alba Leaf Extract • Beta-Sitosterol • Panthenol • Squalene • Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract • Citric Acid • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
Sorbitan Olivate is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 11.
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.
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.
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 AcidSkin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 30.
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 30.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Trader Joe's Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer 32 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer.
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