Paula's Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer Versus Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
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 Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer 56 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer 26 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer 56 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Threonine
Alanine
MaskingValine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
Humectant
Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-75 Stearate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Isoamyl Laurate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Cetyl Alcohol, Lauroyl Lysine, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glucomannan, Saccharomyces Lysate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Ceramide Ng, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Proline, Glycine, Serine, Threonine, Alanine, Valine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Lecithin, Phytic Acid, Yeast Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glutamic Acid, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Polysorbate 20, PEG-75 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bisabolol
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Hansenula/Kloeckera/Lactobacillus/Lactococcus/Leuconostoc/Pediococcus/Saccharomyces/Fig/Lemon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isoeicosane
EmollientChitosan
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bisabolol, Phospholipids, Hansenula/Kloeckera/Lactobacillus/Lactococcus/Leuconostoc/Pediococcus/Saccharomyces/Fig/Lemon Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Cellulose Gum, Lecithin, Sorbitan Oleate, Isoeicosane, Chitosan, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinWe don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Copolymer yet.
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 Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer 56 ingredients
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer 56 ingredients
On the Fence
I'm a little on the fence about this product. It goes on smoothly although it has a gooey, sticky texture and it doesn't interfere with any of the serums or oils I put on before it. It smells like wet cardboard (although my toddler told me it smelled like donut so I guess YMMV) but it does dissipate soon enough. It has a lot of sexy ingredients that made me fall for it in the first Show more
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer 26 ingredients
This moisturizer feels so luxurious. It has such a satin-like finish and a little goes a longgggg way, so the product does last a while. However, I find it difficult to get past the price as I don’t really see a difference with this moisturizer, it does it’s job and feels good but it doesn’t really change my skin in any monumental way. There are definitely better moisturizers out there with better Show more
Broke me out
