Paula's Choice Ectoin + Hyaluronic Acid Milky Hydrating Serum - UK Versus FaceTheory Ectoin Barrierbuild Milk
Updated on August 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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 Ectoin + Hyaluronic Acid Milky Hydrating Serum 27 ingredients
FaceTheory Ectoin Barrierbuild Milk 29 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Ectoin + Hyaluronic Acid Milky Hydrating Serum 27 ingredients
FaceTheory Ectoin Barrierbuild Milk 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glycogen
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Water, Ectoin, Isopentyldiol, Triethylhexanoin, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isoamyl Laurate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Squalane, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycogen, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Peel Powder
AbsorbentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingTapioca Starch
Algin
Masking
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ectoin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Limon Peel Powder, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder, Sclerotium Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Tapioca Starch, Algin, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideEctoin 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 EctoinThis ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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