Educational guide
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Lactic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This oil-control serum is formu
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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Lactic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking 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
Lactic Acid
Glycerin
Pentylene Glycol
Propanediol
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Acacia Senegal Gum
Xanthan Gum
Isoceteth-20
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
Ethylhexylglycerin
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
Water, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Niacinamide 10%
Zinc PCA 1%
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Ethoxydiglycol
Phenoxyethanol
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.
Isoceteth-20 comes from Isocetyl Alcohol. It is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
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%.
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!
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.