Skin science article
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This hydrating serum is formulated around So
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum Versus The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid 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
Water
Butylene Glycol
Dipropylene Glycol
Glycerin
Squalane
1,2-Hexanediol
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Carbomer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Tromethamine
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Dextrin
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Parfum
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Disodium EDTA
Betaine
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Xylitylglucoside
Anhydroxylitol
Xylitol
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Glucose
Tocopherol
Magnesium Chloride
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glucose, Tocopherol, Magnesium Chloride, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Phenoxyethanol
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Hyaluronic Acid
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
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
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.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
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!