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Product Comparison

Published on September 08, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both body lotions. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or common allergens

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and parabens

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

Body Lotion American Brand United States
Body Lotion American Brand United States

Body Lotion

Body lotions, creams, and butters help moisturize your body.

Body Lotion

Body lotions, creams, and butters help moisturize your body.

Price

Shop

Buy Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream

Starts at $6.69
Shop

Buy Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula

Starts at $2.82

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
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (5)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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:
Community Rating: Mixed

Hydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when used in medication.

It is medication and not technically a cosmetic ingredient. Most countries allow topical creams to contain up between 0.05 - 2.5% (depending on the country) of hydrocortisone without a prescription. Higher amounts usually require a prescription from a professional.

Hydrocortisone can help relieve rashes, eczema, itching, and other inflammation induced skin conditions.

We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient.

Learn more about Hydrocortisone

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
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

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 13.

4
What it does: Emollient, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.

Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.

When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.

Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Palmitate

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 14.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.

Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.

The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.

Learn more about Methylparaben

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 15.

6
What it does: Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.

Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.

Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic. However, this ingredient may not work well for those with oily skin or fungal acne.

If you have concerns about using this ingredient in your routine, we recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Paraffinum Liquidum

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 16.

7
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Disliked

Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.

This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.

Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.

The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.

Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.

Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.

Learn more about Petrolatum

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 24.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 17.

9
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).

You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.

Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Learn more about Propylparaben

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 18.

10
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

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 25.

11
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula contains this as ingredient number 22.

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

33% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet

Usage

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

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

up&up Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Maximum Strength Intensive Healing Cream 21 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
screamadelica's avatar

screamadelica

8 months ago · Normal Skin
Review

great for post-accutane redness
this stuff was a godsend for me when i suffered from dry skin patches after getting off accutane. i had to use a...

great for post-accutane redness
this stuff was a godsend for me when i suffered from dry skin patches after getting off accutane. i had to use a ton of it, but i didn’t mind that since the product is so cheap. it really helped accelerate the healing process.

Equate Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula 25 ingredients

Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Intensive Healing Formula hasn't been rated yet.
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