Boots Dermacare Eczema Treatment Cream Versus The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Updated on May 16, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Boots Dermacare Eczema Treatment Cream 20 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Boots Dermacare Eczema Treatment Cream 20 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide 3
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Cera
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEctoin, Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide 3, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oryza Sativa Bran Cera, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Ectoin 1%
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Alkanes, Ectoin 1%, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Triethyl Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Behenic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Polyglycerin-3, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ectoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
Learn more about EctoinWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Boots Dermacare Eczema Treatment Cream 20 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Boots Dermacare Eczema Treatment Cream 20 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
This is a really great product. Absorbs well, creates a really nice, but non-sticky protective layer that still allows others products to sink in. Super light weight and easy to spread. It feels quite unique and definitely something that stands out in my routine.
