The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Versus Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Versus Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA versus Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster. This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This pore-care serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide to refine the look of pores and strengthen the skin barrier. Water Alpha-Arbutin Propanediol Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate Ergothioneine Polysorbate 20 Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Metabisulfite Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Ethoxydiglycol Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Water, Alpha-Arbutin, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ergothioneine, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin Niacinamide Glycerin Dimethyl Isosorbide Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Punica Granatum Extract Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract Lactobacillus Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice Bisabolol Silver Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3 Lysophosphatidic Acid Lysolecithin Lecithin Laminaria Digitata Extract Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Ribose Ubiquinone Chlorella Vulgaris Extract Saccharide Isomerate Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Astaxanthin Glutathione Tocopheryl Acetate Sea Water Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Maltodextrin Ethylhexylglycerin Xanthan Gum O-Cymen-5-Ol Sodium Gluconate Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Bisabolol, Silver, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Lysophosphatidic Acid, Lysolecithin, Lecithin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ribose, Ubiquinone, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sea Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol Be the first to review 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. Ergothioneine is an amino acid found naturally in mushrooms, grains, and meat. It has antioxidant and skin soothing properties. This amino acid helps with: Maintaining DNA stability and cell reproduction Enhances cellular immunity Skin brightening Anti-aging Skin soothing 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 a