Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream versus ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense .
Published on October 06, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols 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 need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Ingredient Info
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream 33 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
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 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
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 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types 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:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream 33 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream 33 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Water • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Cetyl Ethylhexanoate • Glycerin • Cetyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Squalane • Saccharum Officinarum Extract • Dimethicone • Stearic Acid • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract • Citrus Limon Fruit Extract • Acer Saccharum Extract • Salicylic Acid • Althaea Officinalis Root Extract • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Panthenol • Bisabolol • Polysorbate 20 • Polyacrylate-13 • Polyisobutene • Butylene Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Aminomethyl Propanol • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Potassium Sorbate
Water • Cetearyl Isononanoate • Cyclopentasiloxane • Cyclohexasiloxane • Pentylene Glycol • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Steareth-20 • Jojoba Esters • Carbomer • C14-22 Alcohols • Phenoxyethanol • Cetearyl Glucoside • Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters • Polysorbate 20 • Butylene Glycol • Palmitoyl Oligopeptide • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Sodium Hydroxide • Caprylyl Glycol • C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside • Ethylhexylglycerin • Lactose • Disodium EDTA • Cellulose • Hexylene Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Beta-Glucan • 1,2-Hexanediol • Methylparaben • Lecithin • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose • Sorbitol • EDTA • Benzoic Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract • Micrococcus Lysate • Retinol • Retinyl Palmitate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil • Citrus Limon Peel Oil • Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil • Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil • Mentha Piperita Oil • Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract • Tocopherol • Limonene • CI 77007 • CI 60730
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 WaterSkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 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 GlycerinSkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 AcetateSkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 41.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 15.
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.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 16.
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.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 12.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 32.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 22.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream 33 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream 33 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense.
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