The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser Versus Conscious Chemist The Defender Peptide Retinol Night Cream

The Derma Co 2% Niacinamide Oily Skin Cleanser Versus Conscious Chemist The Defender Peptide Retinol Night Cream

This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.

This anti-aging night moisturizer is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Glycerin

Niacinamide

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

Centella Asiatica Extract

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Benzoate

Saccharide Isomerate

Sodium Gluconate

Panthenol

Salicylic Acid

Ceramide Complex

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Citric Acid

Sodium Citrate

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Gluconate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Ceramide Complex, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate

Propylene Glycol

Isopropyl Myristate

Glyceryl Stearate

Cetearyl Olivate

Sorbitan Olivate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Dimethicone

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Lauryl Glucoside

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Alcohol

Glyceryl Oleate

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Allantoin

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil

Retinol

Polysorbate 20

BHA

Lecithin

Acetyl Glutamine

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

Sh-Oligopeptide-2

Sh-Polypeptide-1

Sh-Polypeptide-9

Sh-Polypeptide-11

Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Caprylyl Glycol

Butylene Glycol

Hexapeptide-11

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Bisabolol

Adansonia Digitata Oil

Caffeine

BHT

Disodium EDTA

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Ubiquinone

Water, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lauryl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, BHA, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hexapeptide-11, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Caffeine, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Ubiquinone

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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.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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!

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