Skin science article
The INKEY List Bakuchiol Moisturizer Versus Real Barrier Extreme Cream
The INKEY List Bakuchiol Moisturizer Versus Real Barrier Extreme Cream This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Bakuchiol and Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Pantheno
The INKEY List Bakuchiol Moisturizer Versus Real Barrier Extreme Cream
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Bakuchiol and Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Panthenol and Madecassoside to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Squalane
Glycerin
Propanediol
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Bakuchiol
Phenoxyethanol
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Carbomer
Sodium Hydroxide
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Polysorbate 60
Phytic Acid
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Tocopherol
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bakuchiol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Caproyl Prolinate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 60, Phytic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Butylene Glycol
Cetearyl Alcohol
Panthenol
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Glyceryl Stearate
Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate
Dimethicone
Sorbitan Stearate
Viscum Album Fruit Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Xylitylglucoside
Anhydroxylitol
Xylitol
Glucose
Tocopheryl Acetate
Phytosterols
Phospholipids
Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide
Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
Allantoin
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Madecassoside
Stearic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Viscum Album Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glucose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Allantoin, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Madecassoside, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol
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.
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.
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.
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!