Skin science article
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Hydra-Plumping Serum Capsules Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Hydra-Plumping Serum Capsules Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Ceramide Ng and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This hydrating serum is
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Hydra-Plumping Serum Capsules Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Ceramide Ng and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Silica
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Dimethiconol
Butylene Glycol
Ceramide Ng
Ceramide NP
Ceramide Ns
Cyclopentasiloxane
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Lactic Acid
Lecithin
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
PEG-10 Phytosterol
Pentylene Glycol
Persea Gratissima Oil
Phytosphingosine
Phytosterols
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Tribehenin
Zingiber Zerumbet Extract
Phenoxyethanol
Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethiconol, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Pentylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tribehenin, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Glycerin
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Panthenol
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Carbomer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Cholesterol
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Myristate
Caprylyl Glycol
Citric Acid
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
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.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
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.