Skin science article
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% This mild cream cleanser is mild enough to cleanse without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to bal
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This mild cream cleanser is mild enough to cleanse without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Behenyl Alcohol
Propanediol
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Sodium Chloride
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Coconut Acid
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Colloidal Oatmeal
Ceramide NP
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Sodium Phytate
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Glycerin
Sodium Acetate
Panthenol
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sorbitol
Tocopherol
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Sorbic Acid
Cellulose
Lactic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Citric Acid
Carbomer
Sodium Benzoate
Chlorphenesin
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Hydroxide
Linalool
CI 77891
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Behenyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Coconut Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Ceramide NP, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Sodium Acetate, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Sorbic Acid, Cellulose, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, CI 77891
Niacinamide 10%
Pentylene Glycol
Zinc PCA 1%
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Xanthan Gum
Isoceteth-20
Ethoxydiglycol
Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
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!