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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution versus The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid .

Last updated on July 10, 2023. Published on August 28, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

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

Serum Canadian Brand Canada
General Moisturizer Indian Brand India

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

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

Price

Shop

Buy Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution

Starts at $14.50
Shop

Buy 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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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.

1
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

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid contains this as ingredient number 28.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution contains this as ingredient number 16.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid contains this as ingredient number 24.

5
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.

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution contains this as ingredient number 17.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

50% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
28% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
41% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution 18 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Works Well (1)
MamzelleMarie's avatar

MamzelleMarie

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I love this so much I kicked Niacinamide off my routine because this seems to finally be doing all the things Niacinamide was supposed to do for me...

I love this so much I kicked Niacinamide off my routine because this seems to finally be doing all the things Niacinamide was supposed to do for me skin. Now that I have checked the ingredients it makes sense :)
My skin is clearer, less textured and breakout spots fade noticeably faster. It feels amazing and goes great over and under other serums. Absolute new holy grail product.

The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid 29 ingredients

5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Derma Co 5% Cica-Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with Alpha Arbutin & Tranexamic Acid.

See 50 alternatives
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