Dot & Key Skincare Deep Pore Foaming Face Wash Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Dot & Key Skincare Deep Pore Foaming Face Wash Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This lactic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Lactic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.

This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Myristic Acid

Glycerin

Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Potassium Hydroxide

Propylene Glycol

Stearic Acid

Lauric Acid

Glycol Stearate

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Glyceryl Stearate

PEG-100 Stearate

Phenoxyethanol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Octenidine Hcl

Lactic Acid

Glycolic Acid

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Citric Acid

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Acer Saccharum Extract

Tartaric Acid

Malic Acid

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract

Fucus Vesiculosus Extract

Disodium EDTA

PEG-45m

CI 42090

Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Glycol Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45m, CI 42090

Niacinamide 10%

Pentylene Glycol

Zinc PCA 1%

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Xanthan Gum

Isoceteth-20

Ethoxydiglycol

Chlorphenesin

Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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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