Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Versus The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Versus The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer Detailed comparison of CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion US versus The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer. This barrier-repair night moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and

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CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Versus The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer Detailed comparison of CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion US versus The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer. This barrier-repair night moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. Water Glycerin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Niacinamide Cetearyl Alcohol Potassium Phosphate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Dimethicone Ceteareth-20 Behentrimonium Methosulfate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Hyaluronate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Disodium EDTA Dipotassium Phosphate Caprylyl Glycol Phytosphingosine Xanthan Gum Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Glyceryl Stearate Se Betaine Butylene Glycol Benzyl Alcohol Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Gluconate Tocopheryl Acetate Dehydroacetic Acid Hydrogenated Lecithin Phenethyl Alcohol Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 Maltodextrin Pentapeptide-48 Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel. While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source. This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out. This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%. 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