Paula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer vs The Inkey List 10% Urea Moisturizer

Paula's Choice

The Inkey List

A face moisturizer built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A face moisturizer built around Colloidal oatmeal, for barrier repair and hydration.

Face moisturizer

46 ingredients

17 ingredients

Brand price

USD 50.40 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 22.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Silicone-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Urea
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Squalane

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Squalane

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Acne Fighting
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Urea
Humectant
0 / —
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
3 / 2
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Squalane (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Face oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

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 →
Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →