Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol versus Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer .
Last updated on November 16, 2023. Published on December 20, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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 need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Water • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Glycerin • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Cocoglycerides • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Squalane • Sodium Polyacrylate • Lecithin • Adenosine • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Ceramide NP • Retinol • Punica Granatum Extract • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane • Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane • Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane • Tocopheryl Acetate • Chamomilla Recutita Extract • Glycine Soja Seed Extract • Glycine Soja Oil • Butylene Glycol • Propylene Glycol • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Xanthan Gum • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Cetyl Alcohol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Glycerin • Peg-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate • Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Ascorbate • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Retinol • Ceramide NP • Ceramide Ns • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Ceramide Eos • Cholesterol • Caprooyl Phytosphingosine • Caprooyl Sphingosine • Squalane • Punica Granatum Fruit Extract • Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Carnosine • Panthenol • Sodium PCA • Butylene Glycol • Sodium Citrate • Ceteareth-25 • Polysorbate 20 • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Sodium Hydroxide • Trideceth-6 • Propyl Gallate • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Sodium Polyacrylate • Behenic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinPaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Ethylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating.
Its emollient property helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl StearatePaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 37.
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 SqualanePaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.
Sodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid.
Sodium Polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer. It can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sodium Polyacrylate is also used to stabilize products.
Learn more about Sodium PolyacrylatePaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 8.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 42.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPPaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 12.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 16.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolPaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 13.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetatePaula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 20.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 24.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol contains this as ingredient number 28.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 45.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol 28 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
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