Remedial Pax Day & Night Collagen & Retinol Cream Versus Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

Remedial Pax Day & Night Collagen & Retinol Cream Versus Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

This calming moisturizer is formulated around Avena Sativa Kernel Flour and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Stearyl Alcohol

Stearic Acid

Isopropyl Myristate

Retinol

Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Caprylyl Glycol

EDTA

Carbomer

Phenoxyethanol

Flower Extract

Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer

Persea Gratissima Oil

Potassium Sorbate

Tocopherol

Imidazolidinyl Urea

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Water, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Caprylyl Glycol, EDTA, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Flower Extract, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Persea Gratissima Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Glycerin

Dimethicone

Cetearyl Olivate

Avena Sativa Kernel Flour

Sorbitan Olivate

Polyacrylamide

Synthetic Beeswax

C13-14 Isoparaffin

Butylene Glycol

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Panthenol

Chlorphenesin

Dimethiconol

Laureth-7

Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Hydroxide

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylamide, Synthetic Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract

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Ingredients Explained

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.

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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