Paula's Choice
Ceramide-Enriched Firming MoisturizerEltaMD
Barrier Renewal ComplexA face moisturizer built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
The brand gives no description.
Brand price
USD 50.40 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 67.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Silicone-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Benefits
Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Squalane
Barrier Repair17
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Panthenol, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Piptadenia Colubrina Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair14
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Niacinamide, Squalane, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Bromelain, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Niacinamide, Squalane
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenic Acid, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide EOS, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Polysorbate 20, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Trideceth-6
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis15
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Behenic Acid, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide EOS, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Acne Fighting
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Cetyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-100 Stearate (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-100 Stearate (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Cetyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-100 Stearate →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Ceramide Ns
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide Ns →Ceramide AP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide AP →Ceramide EOP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide EOP →Ceramide EOS
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOS isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide EOS →
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