Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream Versus Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer
Updated on July 19, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sclerotium Gum, Triolein, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventInulin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingGlycogen
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSchizophyllan
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Triheptanoin, C13-16 Isoalkane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Inulin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Glycogen, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Schizophyllan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePropanediol 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 PropanediolGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream 25 ingredients
There was no irritation or redness for me, but I couldn't stop breaking out from this. Additionally, it's pretty expensive for how small this tube is. I think if your issue is trying to combat redness or something such as rosacea or eczema, this might be worth a try
I have combination acne prone skin and this product made my skin break out.
Paula's Choice Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Absolutely awful product. Smells rancid, clog up your pores and make your skin oily within hours.
