Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth Versus Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth Versus Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Pentylene Glycol

Propanediol

Xanthan Gum

Glucosamine Hcl

Caprylyl Glycol

Glycereth-26

Pisum Sativum Extract

Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract

Carbomer

Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Phenoxyethanol

Quercus Petraea Fruit Extract

Collagen

Lecithin

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Hydroxide

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Glycolate

Sodium Formate

Citric Acid

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glucosamine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycereth-26, Pisum Sativum Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Carbomer, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Quercus Petraea Fruit Extract, Collagen, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Citric Acid

Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate

Niacinamide

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Panthenol

Hydrolyzed Eruca Sativa Leaf

Hydrolyzed Walnut Extract

Sodium Gluconate

Menthol

Caffeine

Mentha Piperita Oil

Menthyl Lactate

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Meristem Cell Culture

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Dextran

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3

Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Eruca Sativa Leaf, Hydrolyzed Walnut Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Menthol, Caffeine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Meristem Cell Culture, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

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.

Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:

Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.

On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.

Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

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!

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