Transparent Lab Ceramide Repair Moisturizer Versus Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Updated on August 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Transparent Lab Ceramide Repair Moisturizer 41 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Free from
Safety & Ethics
pH Level 5.55
Spanish Brand
Free from
Safety & Ethics
American Brand
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Transparent Lab Ceramide Repair Moisturizer 41 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil comes from the sweet almond, a tree native to Iran. This oil has no fragrance and is non-volatile.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Ceramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.
4 Benefits
Ceramide NS is a type of Ceramide. Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
4 Benefits
Ectoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
4 BenefitsMay cause irritation
Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Helps reduce irritation
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.
Helps hydrate Dry Skin2 Concerns
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.
Squalene is naturally found in plants and animals, including our skin and sebum. It is a lipid our bodies naturally produce and makes up about 10-12% of the oil on our skin. Our skin produces squalene to keep itself naturally hydrated.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids are skin-replenishing.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
Sucrose Distearate is made up of the sucrose (sugar) esthers of stearic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
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.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
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.
3 Concerns
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.
Antioxidant4 BenefitsMay cause irritation
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Decyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant. Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away.
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.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
Sorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol. It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
Sodium 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ectoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Squalene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Sucrose Distearate, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Beta-Sitosterol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Triethanolamine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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.
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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
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.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
4 BenefitsMay cause irritation
Ceramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.
4 Benefits
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Ceramide NP
Learn more about Ceramide NgCeramide EOP is a type of Ceramide.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin. They bind dead skin cells together to create a barrier. The ceramides in our skin have the ability to hold water to keep our skin hydrated.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A strong skin barrier helps with:
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide AS is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidSqualane 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 SqualaneHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.
The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinGlyceryl 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 StearatePentylene 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 GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Transparent Lab Ceramide Repair Moisturizer 41 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Transparent Lab Ceramide Repair Moisturizer 41 ingredients
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients
tumi ♡
TL;DR — This moisturizer triggered a fungal acne breakout for me. I wouldn't recommend this product to those with sensitive acne-prone skin, fungal...
TL;DR — This moisturizer triggered a fungal acne breakout for me. I wouldn't recommend this product to those with sensitive acne-prone skin, fungal acne-prone individuals, or those who don't tolerate squalane. Always patch test! ♡
I tried this moisturizer, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I have a combination + acne-prone skin. On the first day of using this moisturizer, I noticed that my face felt hot and sweaty. Later that week, I ended up getting acne in areas where I don't typically break out. My face would feel itchy 10-20 minutes after applying the moisturizer as well. I suspect it was the squalane oil and non fungal acne-safe ingredients. It's kinda disappointing because many people enjoy and love squalane and this moisturizer.
I'd also like to mention that I broke out from The Ordinary's Squalane Oil as well, although I think that one is made from beets. Not sure as The Ordinary has been shifty about what their 100% Squalane Oil is derived from. 😕
All in all, I recommend doing a patch test before using any new product on your skin.
—— I believe this moisturizer could work well for those with dehydrated skin, non-acne-prone skin, and individuals with no history of fungal acne breakouts. If you tolerate plant-based oils well, along with hyaluronic acid, this one seems like the perfect choice.
According to the Vanicream website, the squalane in this moisturizer is derived from sugarcane. Which is typically better than olive-oil-derived squalene.
Can you recommend any other moisturiser that worked for you?
Can you recommend any other moisturiser that worked for you?
The CeraVE PM Lightweight Lotion is my current safety moisturizer while I search for another one. It doesn't break me out and keeps my skin moisturized. However, I'd like to...
The CeraVE PM Lightweight Lotion is my current safety moisturizer while I search for another one. It doesn't break me out and keeps my skin moisturized. However, I'd like to purchase La Roche Posay's Toleriane Ultra Sensitive Fluid Moisturizer. I hear that's a popular choice amongst those with fungal acne.
sword
Lightweight, calming, noncomedogenic moisturizer. It has a light/buttery texture and absorbs quickly. This works for my sensitive oily skin and...
Lightweight, calming, noncomedogenic moisturizer. It has a light/buttery texture and absorbs quickly. This works for my sensitive oily skin and doesn't break me out, and it doesn't cause sunscreen to pill/peel or anything.
