"ILIA - Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream – Moisturizer with Ceramides" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. ILIA - Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream – Moisturizer with Ceramides ticks this box. Biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin, glucose, polyglycerin-6 and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (colloidal oatmeal, butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane and arachidyl alcohol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: lactic acid, oatmeal extract and colloidal oatmealThis formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "ILIA" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream – Moisturizer with Ceramides
Source: From product name
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: colloidal oatmeal
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
A mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - butyrospermum parkii butter - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 75/100.
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An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
A mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
A mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Used to create a thicker product consistency
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Colloidal oatmeal, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Arachidyl alcohol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Behenyl alcohol, Avena sativa kernel extract, Lithothamnion calcareum extract, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Lactic acid, Polyglycerin-6, Polyglyceryl-6 laurate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Arachidyl glucoside, C15-19 alkane, Maltodextrin, Amylopectin, Hydrogenated lecithin, Biosaccharide gum-1, Pentylene glycol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Sodium levulinate, Calcium chloride, Glyceryl caprylate, Xanthan gum, P-anisic acid, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Glucose, Sorbitan oleate, Sorbitan isostearate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid
