Skin science article
ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion Versus Prequel Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer
ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion Versus Prequel Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Copper Tripeptide-1 to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. Th
ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion Versus Prequel Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Copper Tripeptide-1 to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Ceramide NP and Hexapeptide-11 to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Propanediol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
1,2-Hexanediol
Glyceryl Stearate
Phenyl Trimethicone
C14-22 Alcohols
Polysorbate 60
Arginine
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Carbomer
Butylene Glycol
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Borago Officinalis Extract
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
Centella Asiatica Extract
Glucose
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Hexapeptide-9
Hexapeptide-11
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 60, Arginine, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Isopropyl Myristate
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Squalane
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Ceramide NP
Ceramide As
Ceramide Ns
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide AP
Matrixyl 3000
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Triolein
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Oleate
Undecane
Hydroxyacetophenone
Glyceryl Dioleate
Caprylyl Glycol
Xanthan Gum
Tridecane
Betaine
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Citric Acid
Sodium Phytate
Sodium PCA
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Lactate
PCA
Sodium Benzoate
Serine
Alanine
Palmitic Acid
Glycine
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Phenoxyethanol
Glutamic Acid
Lysine Hcl
Threonine
Proline
Tocopherol
Polysorbate 20
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Hexapeptide-11, Matrixyl 3000, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Triolein, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Oleate, Undecane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Dioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tridecane, Betaine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Serine, Alanine, Palmitic Acid, Glycine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
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 corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
This synthetic peptide is known as a signal peptide. Signal peptides tell your skin to create more collagen, elastin and protein.
Hexapeptide-11 is composed of several amino acids, including alanine.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
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!