Skin science article
Lancôme Absolue Serum Versus The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash And Brow Serum
Lancôme Absolue Serum Versus The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash And Brow Serum This anti-aging serum is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Lactic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns
Lancôme Absolue Serum Versus The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash And Brow Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Lactic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Butylene Glycol
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Alcohol Denat.
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
CI 77891
Tocopherol
Mica
Coco-Glucoside
Lactic Acid
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Benzoate
Adenosine
Acetic Acid
Chlorphenesin
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Limonene
Tin Oxide
Linalool
Benzoic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Caprylyl Glycol
Carbomer
Perlite
Geraniol
Rosa Centifolia Stem Extract
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Citric Acid
Citronellol
Coumarin
Glycol Distearate
Glyceryl Oleate
Glyceryl Stearate
Parfum
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, CI 77891, Tocopherol, Mica, Coco-Glucoside, Lactic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Adenosine, Acetic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Limonene, Tin Oxide, Linalool, Benzoic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Perlite, Geraniol, Rosa Centifolia Stem Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Coumarin, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Oligopeptide-2
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Caffeine
Panthenol
Arginine
Glycine
Glycoproteins
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Dextran
Maltodextrin
Zinc Chloride
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Xanthan Gum
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 20
Sodium Metabisulfite
1,2-Hexanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Caffeine, Panthenol, Arginine, Glycine, Glycoproteins, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dextran, Maltodextrin, Zinc Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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.
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.
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!