Isomers Skincare Laboratories Essential Hydrating Cream Versus Isomers Skincare Laboratories Ectoin Deep Hydration Cream
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Essential Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Ectoin Deep Hydration Cream 21 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
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Essential Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Ectoin Deep Hydration Cream 21 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Filtrate
Skin ProtectingSpirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Spermidine
Antioxidant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningManganese PCA
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ectoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium Gluconate, Saccharomyces Lysate Filtrate, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Magnesium PCA, Ubiquinone, Spermidine, Zinc PCA, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Arginine, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Manganese PCA, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Aminobutyric Acid
Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Filtrate
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Ectoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Urea, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Aminobutyric Acid, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Filtrate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEctoin 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 EctoinGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideWe don't have a description for Saccharomyces Lysate Filtrate yet.
We don't have a description for Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract yet.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Essential Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Ectoin Deep Hydration Cream 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Essential Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients
Isomers Skincare Laboratories Ectoin Deep Hydration Cream 21 ingredients
This cream is really light and dried out my skin :( I've tried other products with ectoin so I was excited to try this one but it was way too thin and not hydrating enough. I used it in the morning since I thought it would be good during the day but my skin would feel tight and dry an hour after application. I usually needed to put another cream on top which defeats the purpose for me. It might Show more
