ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense Versus Paula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream
Updated on November 21, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain peptides, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, 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
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream 55 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream 55 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Steareth-20
CleansingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Cellulose
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
Preservative
Lecithin
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
EDTA
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract
Antioxidant
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Steareth-20, Jojoba Esters, Carbomer, C14-22 Alcohols, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactose, Disodium EDTA, Cellulose, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylparaben, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sorbitol, EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene, CI 77007, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
HumectantPullulan
Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingPropyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cholesterol, Squalane, Retinol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Carnosine, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Pullulan, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Behenic Acid, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Butylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateIngredient Ratings
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ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream 55 ingredients
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