Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence Versus The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Updated on January 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 9 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, oils, 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
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 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
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Betaine, Isopentyldiol, Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Panthenol, Squalane, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Arginine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glucomannan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin
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.
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.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate is a skin conditioner with emollient and emulsifier properties.
It is an esther of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-10.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 StearatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
So I think this feels fabulous as it goes on the skin. It does feel tacky as it dries down,almost like a primer. So I actually haven’t had to use anything but this to get the same effect! If you are a dry skin girly you will enjoy, however oily girls may want to beware and don’t overdo. It does have a bit of sheen to it as it dries but looks great. (Again..mature dry girl here!) there is no scent Show more
Super hydrating, yet oil free and only one ingredient that's not quite fungal acne safe. I'm super impressed. I'll probably use this forever. It's really difficult to find any product like this. My skin is combo (leaning towards oily), acne-prone, and dehydrated during the winter.
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.
