Paula's Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask Versus Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask With 10.5% Squalane
This hydrating overnight mask is formulated around Chondrus Crispus Extract and Ganoderma Lucidum Extract to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This hydrating overnight mask is formulated around Squalane and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentapeptide-59
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingAgastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Juice
AstringentEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentapeptide-59, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBehenyl Behenate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCandelilla Cera
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Lauryl Laurate, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Behenyl Behenate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Candelilla Cera, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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