StriVectin Barrier Restore+ Soothing Ceramide Cream Versus Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-68 Amide Acetate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Helianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Propanediol, Diheptyl Succinate, C12-16 Alcohols, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Myristyl Nicotinate, Heptapeptide-68 Amide Acetate, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Beta-Glucan, Tetrapeptide-14, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 2,3-Butanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalene
EmollientZinc PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmylopectin
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Squalane, Propanediol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Triheptanoin, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalene, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Allantoin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Acetyl Glutamine, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Amylopectin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Folic Acid, Oligopeptide-3, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Hexapeptide-11, Tocopherol, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lactic Acid, Glucose, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
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 causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene 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.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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 Gum