Paula's Choice Clinical Ultra-Rich Moisturizer Versus Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream

Paula's Choice Clinical Ultra-Rich Moisturizer Versus Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Clinical Ultra-Rich Moisturizer versus Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Colloidal Oatmeal and Allantoin to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. Water Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glyceryl Stearate Se Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Dimethicone Stearic Acid Glyceryl Stearate Mangifera Indica Seed Butter Cetyl Alcohol Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Sphingolipids Phospholipids Phytosphingosine Squalene Cholesterol Tocopherol Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Persea Gratissima Oil Glycine Soja Oil Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Glycerin Panthenol Ascorbyl Palmitate Beta-Sitosterol Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate Propylene Glycol Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Xanthan Gum Carbomer Disodium EDTA Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Squalene, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Colloidal Oatmeal 1% Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil Butyrospermum Parkii Butter C10-18 Triglycerides Allantoin Adenosine Cetearyl Olivate Sorbitan Olivate Ceramide Eos Ceramide Ns Caprooyl Phytosphingosine Caprooyl Sphingosine Glycolipids Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Behenic Acid Ceteareth-25 Glycine Soja Sterols Lecithin Glyceryl Oleate Caprylyl Glycol Hydroxyacetophenone 1,2-Hexanediol Tocopheryl Acetate Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate Sodium Hydroxide Citric Acid Colloidal Oatmeal 1%, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, C10-18 Triglycerides, Allantoin, Adenosine, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Glycolipids, Phospholipids, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Behenic Acid, Ceteareth-25, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid. It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water. As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate. Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited. Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like: Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2. It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin. 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