VZK Soothing Cream for Problematic Skin Versus Altruist Dermatologist Dry Skin Repair Cream 10% Urea
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
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
VZK Soothing Cream for Problematic Skin 14 ingredients
Altruist Dermatologist Dry Skin Repair Cream 10% Urea 18 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
VZK Soothing Cream for Problematic Skin 14 ingredients
Altruist Dermatologist Dry Skin Repair Cream 10% Urea 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Oil
Perfuming
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPotassium Lactate
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Bisabolol
Masking
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSilver Chloride
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Urea, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Potassium Lactate, Titanium Dioxide, Lactic Acid, Cetyl Dimethicone, Piroctone Olamine, Bisabolol, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Silver Chloride, Propylene Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
VZK Soothing Cream for Problematic Skin 14 ingredients
Altruist Dermatologist Dry Skin Repair Cream 10% Urea 18 ingredients
Reviews
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