The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum EU & Canada versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum. This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This calming serum is formulated around Beta-Glucan and Ceramide NP to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier. Water Propanediol Sodium Hyaluronate Glycerin Butylene Glycol Phenoxyethanol Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Hyaluronic Acid Carbomer Sodium Lactate Polysorbate 20 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Water, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Beta-Glucan Sea Whip Extract Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Cholesterol Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Phytosphingosine Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract Glycine Soja Seed Extract Ubiquinone Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Magnesium Aspartate Potassium Aspartate Sarcosine Xanthan Gum PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone Disodium EDTA Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sea Whip Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ubiquinone, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Aspartate, Potassium Aspartate, Sarcosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol 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. 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. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir. Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated. The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters. Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair. This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds. The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%. A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance. These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid: 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 bacte