Conscious Chemist Snail Magic Barrier Repair All-In-One Cream Versus The Derma Co 4% Ceramide Barrier Repair Moisturizer
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Snail Secretion Filtrate and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Ceramide EOP and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Trehalose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Cellulose
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningWater, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Trehalose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Cellulose, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Squalane, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Diacetyl Boldine
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningShea Butter Glycerides
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLigustrum Lucidum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Shea Butter Glycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Ligustrum Lucidum Seed Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water