Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Complex Cream
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 7 moreStrong evidence
“Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex is an anti-aging face cream that cushions skin with moisture for a difference you can see and feel.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
allantoin, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cera alba, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Evens skin toneRetinyl palmitateModerate evidence
“Improves clarity, tone and texture.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl palmitate.
Anti-agingRetinyl palmitate, TocopherolModerate evidence
“Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex is an anti-aging face cream that cushions skin with moisture for a difference you can see and feel.”
This product contains retinyl palmitate. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Parfum, Retinyl palmitate + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cetearyl alcohol~6–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlycerin~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSqualane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneIsopropyl myristate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristatePolysorbate 60~1.9–2.4%
Cera alba~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaAllantoin~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinC13-14 isoalkane~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.65–0.95%
Laureth-7~0.55–0.85%
Olea europaea fruit oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilPanthenol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolParfum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolyacrylamide~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideRetinyl palmitate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
Benzyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Tocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolBenzyl benzoate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateBeta-caryophyllene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camphor~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cananga odorata oil/extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citronellol~0.2–0.4%
Citrus aurantium peel oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Eucalyptus globulus oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Geraniol~0.2–0.35%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.2–0.35%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalLavandula oil/extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.2%
Linalyl acetate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pinene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Terpineol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane, Isopropyl myristate, Polysorbate 60, Cera alba, Allantoin, C13-14 isoalkane, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Olea europaea fruit oil, Panthenol, Parfum, Polyacrylamide, Retinyl palmitate, Sodium hydroxide, Benzyl alcohol, Methylparaben, Tocopherol, Benzyl benzoate, Beta-caryophyllene, Camphor, Cananga odorata oil/extract, Citronellol, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Eucalyptus globulus oil, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Lavandula oil/extract, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Pinene, Terpineol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Elizabeth ArdenVisible Difference Complex CreamYOUR PRODUCT | SkinMedicaTNS Ceramide Treatment Cream | Reviva LabsElastin + DMAE Night Creme | SothysSoothing Velvet Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 61% | 61% |
| Price | $21.07 | $72.00+$50.93 | $16.00−$5.07 | $74.95+$53.88 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.