Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Kit: Rebalancing Concentrate Versus First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum

Kit: Rebalancing Concentrate Versus First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum Detailed comparison of Kit: Rebalancing Concentrate versus First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum. This oil-control exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Kit: Rebalancing Concentrate Versus First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum Detailed comparison of Kit: Rebalancing Concentrate versus First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum. This oil-control exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract to balance excess oil and calm redness. This calming serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Bisabolol to calm redness and hydrate skin. No concerns Water Niacinamide Butylene Glycol Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract Sodium Hyaluronate 1,2-Hexanediol Hydroxyacetophenone Propanediol Xanthan Gum Phenoxyethanol Potassium Sorbate Sodium Benzoate Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Pentylene Glycol Glycerin Carbomer Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract Polysorbate 20 Bisabolol Caprylyl Glycol Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Panthenol Sodium Hydroxide Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer Benzophenone-4 Caffeine Colloidal Sulfur Zingiber Officinale Root Extract Water, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Polysorbate 20, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Benzophenone-4, Caffeine, Colloidal Sulfur, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. 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!