Skin science article
The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum Versus Summer Fridays Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum
The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum Versus Summer Fridays Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Polyglutamic Acid to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This hydrating serum is formulated around Squal
The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum Versus Summer Fridays Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Polyglutamic Acid to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Dimethicone
Butylene Glycol
Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
Glycerin
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
Polyglutamic Acid
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Isohexadecane
Propanediol
Coco-Glucoside
Sodium Benzoate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Polysorbate 80
Ethylhexylglycerin
Potassium Sorbate
Decyl Glucoside
Dimethylacrylamide/Acrylic Acid/Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Hexylene Glycol
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethylacrylamide/Acrylic Acid/Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Squalane
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyester-5
Sodium Hyaluronate
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Sodium PCA
Panthenol
Ceramide NP
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Niacinamide
Acetyl Glucosamine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
PCA
Glycine
Alanine
Serine
Valine
Proline
Threonine
Isoleucine
Phenylalanine
Histidine
Sodium Lactate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Citric Acid
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Xanthan Gum
1,2-Hexanediol
Propylene Glycol
Water, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyester-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Lactate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol
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.
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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
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.
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!