Skin science article
Dime Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Dime Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This hydrating serum is formulated around Sclerocarya Birrea Se
Dime Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Hyaluronic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Coconut Alkanes
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
Pentylene Glycol
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Wheat Amino Acids
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Panthenol
Sodium PCA
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Niacinamide
Cyclodextrin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Lactate
Hydroxyproline
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Chlorphenesin
Water, Coconut Alkanes, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Wheat Amino Acids, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Niacinamide, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyproline, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
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!