Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense versus Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer .
Published on June 29, 2022
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening 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 need an update? Let us know.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Water • 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 • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Cetyl Alcohol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Glycerin • Peg-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate • Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Ascorbate • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Retinol • Ceramide NP • Ceramide Ns • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Ceramide Eos • Cholesterol • Caprooyl Phytosphingosine • Caprooyl Sphingosine • Squalane • Punica Granatum Fruit Extract • Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Carnosine • Panthenol • Sodium PCA • Butylene Glycol • Sodium Citrate • Ceteareth-25 • Polysorbate 20 • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Sodium Hydroxide • Trideceth-6 • Propyl Gallate • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Sodium Polyacrylate • Behenic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 12.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 45.
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 20ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 15.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 36.
Butylene 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.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
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 HydroxideZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 19.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 38.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 20.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 46.
Disodium 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 EDTAZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 24.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 44.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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 RetinolZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 39.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense contains this as ingredient number 41.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense 51 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense.
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