Equate Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus The Nue Co The Pill All-In-One Brightening AHA Serum

Equate Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus The Nue Co The Pill All-In-One Brightening AHA Serum

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

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Citric Acid

Polysorbate 20

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

Isoamyl Laurate

Galactoarabinan

Sclerotium Gum

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Glycolic Acid

Lactic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Hydroxide

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Caffeine

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Sodium PCA

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract

Butylene Glycol

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Alcohol Denat.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract

Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Acer Saccharum Extract

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Hyaluronic Acid

Centella Asiatica Extract

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Bisulfite

Water, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Galactoarabinan, Sclerotium Gum, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium PCA, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexylglycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite

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.

Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.

It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.

The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).

True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.

Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.

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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

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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