Skin science article
artnaturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
artnaturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to hydrate skin and calm redness. This hydrating treatment is formulated around So
artnaturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This hydrating treatment is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Glycerin
Phenethyl Alcohol
Caprylyl Glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Xanthan Gum
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Glycine Soja Protein
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Superoxide Dismutase
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
Pentylene Glycol
Propanediol
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Isoceteth-20
Ethoxydiglycol
Hexylene Glycol
1,2-Hexanediol
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!