Skin science article
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Versus LuxeBeauty Hyaluronic Acid Luxurious Face, Neck & Hand Moisturizer Unscented
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Versus LuxeBeauty Hyaluronic Acid Luxurious Face, Neck & Hand Moisturizer Unscented This pore-care moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to refine the look of po
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Versus LuxeBeauty Hyaluronic Acid Luxurious Face, Neck & Hand Moisturizer Unscented
This pore-care moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract to refine the look of pores and calm redness.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Persea Gratissima Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Cyclopentasiloxane
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone
Niacinamide
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate
Phenyl Trimethicone
Dimethicone
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Phospholipids
Superoxide Dismutase
Isohexadecane
Panthenol
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Sodium Carbomer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 80
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Isohexadecane, Panthenol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Carbomer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Persea Gratissima Oil
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Ubiquinone
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Lecithin
Cetearyl Alcohol
Ceteareth-20
Allantoin
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Tocopherol
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Gluconolactone
Sodium Benzoate
Calcium Gluconate
Water, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Ubiquinone, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Niacinamide, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Allantoin, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate
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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.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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!