ongredients Aqua Keeping Cream Versus Ilia Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream
Updated on January 10, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, 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 anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
ongredients Aqua Keeping Cream 24 ingredients
Ilia Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream 37 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ongredients Aqua Keeping Cream 24 ingredients
Ilia Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream 37 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Glucose
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Phytate, Glucose, Citric Acid
Colloidal Oatmeal 1%
Absorbent
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC15-19 Alkane
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingP-Anisic Acid
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Colloidal Oatmeal 1%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Polyglycerin-6, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, C15-19 Alkane, Maltodextrin, Amylopectin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Levulinate, Calcium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, P-Anisic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
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 WaterPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinButyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterArachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from peanut oil. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener.
You'll most likely find this ingredient as an emulsifier in water-based cosmetics.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneA type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
Behenyl Alcohol is usually derived from the fats in vegetable oils.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateWe don't have a description for Arachidyl Glucoside yet.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumGlucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.
In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.
Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.
Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Learn more about GlucoseCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
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