The Derma Co 2% Sali-Cinamide Anti-Acne Face Wash Versus Renee Rouleau Skin Care Sheer Moisture Lotion
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPolyacrylate-33
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantNopalea Cochenillifera Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberSodium Benzoate
MaskingCicada Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polyacrylate-33, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Nopalea Cochenillifera Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Benzoate, Cicada Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xylitylglucoside, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polysorbate 80
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveRose Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water