Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Versus Seint Creme
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cera Microcristallina, Squalane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Caffeine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Honey
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Petrolatum, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Allantoin, Parfum, Honey, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconePetrolatum 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.
However, it’s worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Fungal acne isn’t about comedogenic ratings. It’s more about whether certain ingredients can feed the yeast on your skin, which can trigger those breakouts.
Learn more about PetrolatumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
