Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence Versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence Versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

This smoothing essence is formulated around Lactic Acid and Phytic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Lactic Acid

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil

Sodium Hydroxide

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Phytic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Glycerin

Betula Alba Juice

Citric Acid

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Trideceth-9

Sodium Benzoate

Tocopherol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Tartaric Acid

Parfum

Potassium Sorbate

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Polysorbate 60

Sorbitan Isostearate

Yeast Extract

Propylene Glycol

T-Butyl Alcohol

Papain

Hexyl Cinnamal

Limonene

1,2-Hexanediol

Caprylyl Glycol

Behenyl Alcohol

Benzyl Salicylate

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Chlorphenesin

Tuber Aestivum Extract

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Stearyl Alcohol

Protease

Subtilisin

Tocopheryl Acetate

Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil

Water, Lactic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tartaric Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Yeast Extract, Propylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Papain, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Chlorphenesin, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Protease, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil

Butylene Glycol

Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

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

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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.

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.

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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