Skin science article
ISANA Age Performance Intensiv Serum Versus ISANA Peptide Serum
ISANA Age Performance Intensiv Serum Versus ISANA Peptide Serum This anti-aging serum is formulated around Panthenol and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Hydrolyzed Hyalu
ISANA Age Performance Intensiv Serum Versus ISANA Peptide Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Panthenol and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Panthenol
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Pentylene Glycol
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Sorbitol
Lecithin
Allantoin
Maltodextrin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Lactic Acid
Urea
Sodium Lactate
Serine
Sodium Chloride
Citric Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Benzoate
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Urea, Sodium Lactate, Serine, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Methylpropanediol
Propylene Glycol
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Ethylhexylglycerin
Xanthan Gum
Aspartic Acid
Soluble Collagen
Sodium Salicylate
Caprylyl Glycol
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Fumaric Acid
Sodium Citrate
Maleic Acid
Malic Acid
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Aspartic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Fumaric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Maleic Acid, Malic Acid
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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.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
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.
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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
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!