Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion Versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion Versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Detailed comparison of Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer. This smoothing moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Urea to refine skin texture and refine the look of pores. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. Water Dicaprylyl Maleate C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Butylene Glycol Glycerin Sorbitan Stearate Squalane Stearic Acid Retinol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Urea Yeast Amino Acids Trehalose Inositol Taurine Betaine Arnica Montana Flower Extract Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Hydrolyzed Soy Flour Spiraea Ulmaria Extract Honey Extract Cetearyl Alcohol Ceteareth-20 Talc Glycolipids Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Lecithin Avena Sativa Kernel Protein Tocopherol Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Chondrus Crispus Extract Dimethicone Sodium PCA Allantoin Sclerotium Gum Carbomer Disodium EDTA Aminomethyl Propanol Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Chlorphenesin Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract Water, Dicaprylyl Maleate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Honey Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Talc, Glycolipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Lecithin, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract Ethyl Macadamiate 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 Phytosphingosine Cholesterol Adenosine Arginine Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Gluconate Citric Acid Isohexadecane Xanthan Gum 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 Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier. Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient. It plays several roles in a formula: Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products. Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people. However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers. Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy. Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans. Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients. This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize. A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe. Glycerin (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 c