Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils and silicones
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
Skin&Lab Barrierderm Intensive Cream 38 ingredients
Real Barrier Intense Moisture Cream 55 ingredients
- Canola Oil
- Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
- Juniperus Virginiana Oil
- Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
- Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
- Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
- Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
- Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
- Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
- Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
- Jasminum Officinale Oil
- Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
- Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skin&Lab Barrierderm Intensive Cream 38 ingredients
Real Barrier Intense Moisture Cream 55 ingredients
Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.
Hydrogenated Polydecene is an emollient. It creates a non-occlusive film on the skin that offers extra protection for your skin barrier.
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient. Emollients help your skin stay soft and smooth by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture. It also helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness or helping to create a silky feel.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
2 Concerns
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from peanut oil. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
3 Concerns
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
A type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
Copernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This wax is added to help give a thicker texture. It also helps create a film when applied.
Cetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
Glycine is an amino acid that helps build proteins. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Behenyl Alcohol, 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate, Mannitol, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Serine, Xanthan Gum, Glycine, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Arginine
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.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.
Caprylic Acid is a fatty acid commonly found in plant oils, such as palm and coconut oils.
We don't have a description for Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea.
Sorbitan Stearate comes from sorbitol and stearic acid. Sorbitol is a type of sugar and stearic acid is a fatty acid.
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.
3 Concerns
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Canola Oil is Rapeseed oil with low amounts of erucic acid. It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients help hydrate and soften your skin by trapping moisture.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
Oil Not safe for Fungal Acne
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Ectoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
EU Allergen
Juniperus Virginiana Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the fruits and leaves of the Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana L., Cupressaceae
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Helps reduce irritation
Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Oil EU Allergen
This oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
3 Concerns
Linoleic Acid is Vitamin F and a fatty acid. It is an emollient and helps thicken texture. Linoleic acid helps with hydrating skin and nourishing the skin's barrier. The top layer of skin, or epidermis, contains high amounts of linoleic acid naturally.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.
EU Allergen
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Oil 2 Concerns
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil comes from the ylang-ylang flower, Cananga odorata.
Oil
This oil is the the volatile oil distilled from the dried flower heads of the Roman Chamomile flower.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Oil EU Allergen
Jasminum Officinale Oil is obtained from the jasmine flower. The flower has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Oil
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.
2 Benefits
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil comes from the chamomile flower (like the tea you drink).
4 Benefits May cause irritation
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Water, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic Acid, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Canola Oil, Acrylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Viscum Album Fruit Extract, Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide, Phytosterols, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Ectoin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ceramide NP, Madecassoside, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Benzyl Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneSqualane 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 Squalane1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5 or dexpanthenol in dermatology.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about PanthenolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Skin&Lab Barrierderm Intensive Cream 38 ingredients
Real Barrier Intense Moisture Cream 55 ingredients
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