Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer Versus Skinfix Barrier Balancing Water Cream

Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer Versus Skinfix Barrier Balancing Water Cream Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer versus Skinfix Barrier Balancing Water Cream. This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier and balance excess oil. Water Dimethicone Squalane Glycerin Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Pentylene Glycol 1,2-Hexanediol Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Butylene Glycol Hydroxyacetophenone Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Gigartina Stellata Extract Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate Tridecapeptide-1 Oligopeptide-1 Sodium Phytate Propanediol Lecithin Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate Cyanocobalamin Phenoxyethanol Water, Dimethicone, Squalane, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate, Tridecapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-1, Sodium Phytate, Propanediol, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Phenoxyethanol Niacinamide Triheptanoin Saccharide Isomerate Zinc PCA Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Allantoin Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract Acetyl Heptapeptide-4 Glucose Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Caprylyl Glycol Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside C14-22 Alcohols Ethylhexylglycerin Potassium Sorbate Water, Squalane, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Triheptanoin, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Glucose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products. Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's: Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. 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. Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum). It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores. This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces. Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer. Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study al