By Nature 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate Versus Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum

By Nature 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate Versus Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum

This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

This serum is formulated around Zingiber Officinale Root Extract to calm irritation and support scar healing.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycerin

Pentylene Glycol

Propanediol

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract

Squalane

Phenoxyethanol

Disodium EDTA

Ethylhexylglycerin

Citric Acid

Parfum

Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Parfum

Betaine

Butylene Glycol

Sorbitol

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Oleyl Erucate

Camellia Japonica Flower Water

Faex

Camellia Japonica Flower Extract

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer

Carbomer

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Chlorphenesin

Dipropylene Glycol

Sodium Hydroxide

Triheptanoin

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

C13-15 Alkane

Caprylyl Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

Tocopherol

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

CI 42090

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Camellia Japonica Flower Water, Faex, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Carbomer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Triheptanoin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 42090

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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.

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:

Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.

On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.

Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

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!

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