Versus

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Versus Epionce Medical Barrier Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on November 18, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 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 common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients

Epionce Medical Barrier Cream 37 ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients

Epionce Medical Barrier Cream 37 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ultimate Recovery

Water

Skin Conditioning

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cera Microcristallina

Emulsion Stabilising
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Jojoba Esters

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Petrolatum

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Masking
0-1 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharide Isomerate

Humectant

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera

Emollient

Zinc Oxide

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

PEG-12 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil

Emollient
1-3 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Arnica Montana Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Skin Conditioning

Polyglycerin-3

Humectant

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Emulsifying
4 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Can worsen Dry Skin Icon

Dehydroacetic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Epigallocatechin Gallate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Camellia Sinensis Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering
Medical Barrier Cream

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Antimicrobial, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.

As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.

This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.

Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Emollient

Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.

This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.

Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.

The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.

Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.

Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.

Learn more about Petrolatum
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery 48 ingredients

Epionce Medical Barrier Cream 37 ingredients

4 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
100% use every day
4 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
100% use every day