Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum Versus Aloe Attiva 4x Powerlixir Hydrating Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum Versus Aloe Attiva 4x Powerlixir Hydrating Serum

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

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Butylene Glycol

Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Potassium Sorbate

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Water, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Hydrolyzed Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Pentylene Glycol

Propanediol

Glycerin

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Acetyl Glucosamine

Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans

Acacia Seyal Gum Extract

Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture

Sodium Polyglutamate

Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract

Anogeissus Leiocarpa Bark Extract

Beta-Glucan

Ulva Lactuca Extract

Cellulose

Silica Dimethyl Silylate

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Xanthan Gum

Sodium Benzoate

Citric Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Hydrolyzed Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture, Sodium Polyglutamate, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract, Anogeissus Leiocarpa Bark Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Cellulose, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

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.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

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.

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