Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser Versus Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer

Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser Versus Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer Detailed comparison of Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser versus Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Butyrospermum Parkii Butter and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Butyrospermum Parkii Butter and Linoleic Acid to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. Water Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin PEG-100 Stearate Glyceryl Stearate Isoamyl Laurate Cetearyl Alcohol Sodium Hyaluronate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Allantoin Betaine Tocopherol Phytosphingosine Cholesterol Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Carbomer Xanthan Gum Isoamyl Cocoate Benzyl Alcohol Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin Oryza Sativa Starch Disodium EDTA BHT Sodium Hydroxide Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Allantoin, Betaine, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Isoamyl Cocoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Starch, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide Ceteareth-6 Olivate Butylene Glycol C13-15 Alkane Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate Decyl Oleate Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil Borago Officinalis Seed Oil Hydrogenated Olive Oil Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Linoleic Acid Linolenic Acid Oleic Acid Euterpe Oleracea Sterols Serine Alanine Glycine Proline Lysine Hcl Threonine Arginine Squalane Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract Lecithin Sodium Lactate Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Adenosine Phytic Acid Glutamic Acid Pullulan PCA Sodium PCA Sodium Polyacrylate Starch Sclerotium Gum Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Butylene Glycol, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Decyl Oleate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Squalane, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Adenosine, Phytic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Betaine, Pullulan, PCA, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration. Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte. Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even. Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability. Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine. This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients. Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!). Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity. While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. 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. Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function. You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has. The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema.