Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer Versus StriVectin Wrinkle Recode Moisture Rich Barrier Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium PCA, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Allantoin, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Trisodium EDTA, Batyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ceteth-20
CleansingCeteareth-25
CleansingParfum
Masking
Polysilicone-11
Steareth-20
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Nicotinate, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Urea, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceteth-20, Ceteareth-25, Parfum, Polysilicone-11, Steareth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, PEG-75 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
