Skin science article
Olay Super Serum Versus The [pH]ix The [pH]iller Peptide+ Serum
Olay Super Serum Versus The [pH]ix The [pH]iller Peptide+ Serum This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Tri
Olay Super Serum Versus The [pH]ix The [pH]iller Peptide+ Serum
This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Tripeptide-10 Citrulline to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Lactic Acid
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol
Trehalose
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Sodium Lactate
Mica
Titanium Dioxide
Sodium Benzoate
Parfum
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract
Pullulan
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Allantoin
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Ascorbic Acid
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Tripeptide-1
Lecithin
Butylene Glycol
Xanthan Gum
Carbomer
Triethanolamine
Caprylyl Glycol
Cetyl Alcohol
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer
Paraffinum Liquidum
Trideceth-6
Propylene Glycol
Diazolidinyl Urea
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Alcohol
Potassium Sorbate
Water, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Pullulan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
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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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
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!