Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum Versus The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum Versus The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum versus The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5. This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Linoleic Acid and Linolenic Acid to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium PCA and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. No key ingredients Water Glycerin Diheptyl Succinate Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil Linoleic Acid Linolenic Acid Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil Ceramide EOP Ceramide Eos Ceramide NP Ceramide Ns Caprooyl Sphingosine Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables Caprooyl Phytosphingosine Sodium Hyaluronate Cholesterol Ceramide AP Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables Tocopherol Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Prunus Domestica Seed Oil Lauryl Laurate Glyceryl Behenate Hydrogenated Lecithin Sodium Phytate Trehalose Isohexadecane Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer Xanthan Gum Cetyl Alcohol Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Agar Glyceryl Stearate Ceteareth-25 Cetearyl Alcohol Behenic Acid Glyceryl Rosinate Citric Acid Benzyl Alcohol Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Lauryl Laurate, Glyceryl Behenate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Trehalose, Isohexadecane, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Agar, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Glyceryl Rosinate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin Propanediol Betaine Sodium PCA Panthenol Sodium Lactate Arginine PCA Aspartic Acid Glycine Alanine Serine Threonine Valine Proline Isoleucine Lysine Hcl Histidine Phenylalanine Glutamic Acid Dimethyl Isosorbide Polysorbate 20 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylyl Glycol Water, Propanediol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, PCA, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Lysine Hcl, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. 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!