The Derma Co Snail Peptide 96 Advanced Moisturizing Cream Versus The Derma Co 25% Vitamin C Matte Face Moisturizer SPF 20

The Derma Co Snail Peptide 96 Advanced Moisturizing Cream Versus The Derma Co 25% Vitamin C Matte Face Moisturizer SPF 20

This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Snail Secretion Filtrate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.

This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopheryl Acetate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propylene Glycol

Dimethicone

Betaine

Glycerin

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Niacinamide

Saccharide Isomerate

Snail Secretion Filtrate

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Panthenol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glyceryl Stearate Citrate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Sodium Polyacrylate

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Phenoxyethanol

Allantoin

Triethanolamine

Disodium EDTA

Water, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Betaine, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA

Ascorbic Acid

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

Homosalate

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Cyclopentasiloxane

Phenyl Trimethicone

Dimethiconol

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Caprylyl Methicone

PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer

Tocopheryl Acetate

Tocophersolan

Ferulic Acid

Glycogen

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Silica Dimethyl Silylate

Butylene Glycol

Pentylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

Hexylene Glycol

Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocophersolan, Ferulic Acid, Glycogen, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Dimethicone 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.

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.

Sodium 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.

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