Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus AMOREPACIFIC The Essential Creme Fluid

Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer Versus AMOREPACIFIC The Essential Creme Fluid Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer versus AMOREPACIFIC The Essential Creme Fluid. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. This hydrating treatment is formulated around Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil to hydrate skin. Water Ethyl Macadamiate Glycerin Cetearyl Alcohol Propanediol Triethylhexanoin Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract Niacinamide Tripeptide-29 Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Sodium Hyaluronate Phytosphingosine Cholesterol Panthenol Sodium PCA Adenosine Lecithin Arginine Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Gluconate Citric Acid Isohexadecane Xanthan Gum Carbomer Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin) Dimethicone Stearic Acid Palmitic Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Butylene Glycol Glyceryl Caprylate Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate Hydrogenated Lecithin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 Caprylyl Glycol Tocopherol Disodium EDTA 1,2-Hexanediol Parfum Water, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Propanediol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum 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. 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 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy. Here's the catch: rabbit skin