Skin science article
Freck Lil Prick Cactus Seed Dry Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Freck Lil Prick Cactus Seed Dry Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This hydrating serum is formu
Freck Lil Prick Cactus Seed Dry Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Parfum
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Tocopherol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Caprylyl Glycol
Phenoxyethanol
Hexylene Glycol
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Parfum, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Propanediol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Butylene Glycol
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Hyaluronic Acid
Carbomer
Sodium Lactate
Polysorbate 20
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
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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.