DR's Secret Skinrecon T4 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

DR's Secret Skinrecon T4 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This barrier-repair treatment is formulated around Squalane and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate 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

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Cetearyl Alcohol

Glycerin

Propylene Glycol

Isononyl Isononanoate

Isopropyl Myristate

Squalane

Dimethicone

Glyceryl Stearate

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Ceteareth-20

Propanediol

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil

Panthenol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Allantoin

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Sodium Hyaluronate

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Citric Acid

Tetrasodium EDTA

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Ceramide NP

Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan

Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

Tocopherol

Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

Parfum

Phenoxyethanol

Benzoic Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Squalane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceteareth-20, Propanediol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

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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