Zeroid Intensive Cream Versus Ceramol Face Gel
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCanola Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantMethyl Caprooyl Tyrosinate
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Phytosterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Canola Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Bisabolol, Methyl Caprooyl Tyrosinate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arginine
MaskingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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