Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This hydrating essence is formulated around Saccharide Isomerate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propanediol

Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate

Isostearyl Neopentanoate

Glycerin

Methyl Trimethicone

Sea Water

Saccharide Isomerate

Dimethicone

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Tromethamine

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Butylene Glycol

Glyceryl Caprylate

Carbomer

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Disodium EDTA

Ethylhexylglycerin

1,2-Hexanediol

Parfum

Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract

Magnesium Sulfate

Calcium Chloride

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Citrate

Citric Acid

T-Butyl Alcohol

Beta Vulgaris Root Extract

Manganese Sulfate

Zinc Sulfate

Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract

Lecithin

Nasturtium Officinale Extract

Tocopherol

Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Water, Propanediol, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Sea Water, Saccharide Isomerate, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tromethamine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Tocopherol, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside

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

Reviews

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!

Similar Comparisons