The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA For Scalp Versus The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA For Scalp Versus The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA For Scalp versus The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment. No concerns Water Squalane C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate Arginine Aspartic Acid Glycine Alanine Serine Valine Isoleucine Proline Threonine Histidine Phenylalanine Glutamic Acid Glucose Fructose Sucrose PCA Sodium PCA Zinc PCA Magnesium PCA Manganese PCA Urea Sodium Lactate Lactic Acid Hexyl Nicotinate Lauryl Glucoside Myristyl Glucoside Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate Isoceteth-20 Dextrin Hexylene Glycol Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Water, Squalane, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Urea, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Isoceteth-20, Dextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin Betaine Caffeine Panthenol Glycerin Xanthan Gum Ethylhexylglycerin Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Sodium Metabisulfite Larix Europaea Wood Extract Camellia Sinensis Extract Zinc Chloride Water, Betaine, Caffeine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Zinc Chloride 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. Glycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy. A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process. Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective. Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin. Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin. Like glycolic acid, it can: Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate. Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome. To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4. Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time. Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations. When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH. Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles. Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids. Read more about some other popular AHA's here: 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 paire