Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer - EU Versus Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Updated on April 10, 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 hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
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, fragrances, 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
Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantCholesterol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Urea
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTriacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, 2,3-Butanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocoglycerides, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hexylene Glycol, Trehalose, Cholesterol, Squalane, Sodium Phytate, Urea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Squalane, Propanediol, C12-16 Alcohols, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lysolecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica, Tocopherol, Caramel
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 WaterDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolSqualane 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 SqualaneHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 35 ingredients
It's very lightweight and didn't cause any breakouts for me.
Great at healing barrier for those with oily or combo skin and don't want something too heavy !!! The texture js so lightweighht and dewy. It gives an instant glow and a but if an oily residue you should be fine with it lool it does its job of repairing
HOWEVER if like me your oiliness is caused by dehydration and isnt your skin type make sure to seal it in with an occlusive...
i was so Show more
