Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream versus Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream .
Published on December 16, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 14 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 parabens
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
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.
Ingredient Info
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 39 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
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 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are 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 🎉
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 🎉
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 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 39 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 39 ingredients
Water • Isododecane • Glycerin • Tapioca Starch • Hydrogenated Tetradecenyl/Methylpentadecene • Polymethyl Methacrylate • Dimethicone • Phenoxyethanol • Polysorbate 60 • Caprylyl Glycol • Carbomer • Tocopheryl Acetate • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Propylene Glycol • Butylene Glycol • Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil • Glycine Soja Oil • Fucus Vesiculosus Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Parfum • Disodium EDTA • Pentylene Glycol • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Zinc Gluconate • Acacia Senegal Gum • Linalool • Algae Extract • Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein • Xanthan Gum • Propylene Glycol Alginate • Benzyl Salicylate • Benzyl Alcohol • Hydrolyzed Algin • Serine • Sodium Stearate • Zinc Sulfate • Citric Acid
Water • Octyldodecyl Myristate • C15-19 Alkane • Glycerin • Squalane • Cetyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Alcohol • Pentylene Glycol • Peg-75 Stearate • Ceteth-20 • Steareth-20 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Butylene Glycol • Sorbitol • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Lecithin • Parfum • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopheryl Acetate • O-Cymen-5-Ol • Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • Plankton Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Xanthan Gum • Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate • Limonene • Benzyl Salicylate • Linalool • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Polyglycerin-6 • Sodium Benzoate • Sorbitan Oleate • Sorbitan Isostearate • Potassium Sorbate • Citronellol • Citric Acid
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 WaterThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 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 GlycerinThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.
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 AcetateThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.
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.
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.
Xanthan 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 GumThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.
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 AcidThe Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 39 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream 39 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Polaar IceSource Moisturizing Cream.
See 50 alternatives