Skin science article
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30 This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV r
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Ethyl Macadamiate
Glycerin
Cetearyl Alcohol
Propanediol
Triethylhexanoin
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
Niacinamide
Tripeptide-29
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Sodium Hyaluronate
Phytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Panthenol
Sodium PCA
Adenosine
Lecithin
Arginine
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Sodium Gluconate
Citric Acid
Isohexadecane
Xanthan Gum
Carbomer
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Homosalate
Benzophenone-3
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Butylene Glycol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate
Nylon-12
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Arachidyl Alcohol
Stearic Acid
Polysorbate 80
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Zinc Gluconate
Caffeine
Biotin
Oleanolic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Yeast Extract
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
Behenyl Alcohol
Arachidyl Glucoside
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Gluconic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
Potassium Sorbate
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
Limonene
Citral
Water, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate, Nylon-12, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin, Oleanolic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Niacinamide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Gluconic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citral
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.