Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free Versus PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free Versus PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum Detailed comparison of Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free versus PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum. This brightening serum is

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free Versus PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum Detailed comparison of Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free versus PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture. This hydrating serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Water Niacinamide Glycerin Acetyl Glucosamine Pentylene Glycol Dimethicone Phenoxyethanol Carbomer Disodium EDTA Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Amodimethicone Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Amodimethicone Propanediol Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax Coconut Alkanes Isododecane Jojoba Esters Dimethicone Crosspolymer Polysilicone-11 Sodium Benzoate Xanthan Gum Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Cetyl Alcohol Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans Hexylene Glycol Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil Aroma Polyglucuronic Acid Ceramide NP Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Carrageenan Ceramide AP Phytosphingosine Caprylyl Glycol Cholesterol Lecithin Maris Sal Ceramide EOP Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Coconut Alkanes, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Jojoba Esters, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Aroma, Polyglucuronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Carrageenan, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Maris Sal, Ceramide EOP These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. 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. Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. 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