The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream with Microbiome Technology

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream with Microbiome Technology

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

This calming moisturizer is formulated around Butyrospermum Parkii Butter and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Niacinamide 10%

Pentylene Glycol

Zinc PCA 1%

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Xanthan Gum

Isoceteth-20

Ethoxydiglycol

Phenoxyethanol

Chlorphenesin

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

Dimethicone

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Cetearyl Alcohol

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Trisiloxane

Butylene Glycol

Glycerin

Sucrose

Isostearyl Palmitate

PEG-100 Stearate

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Cetearyl Glucoside

Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract

Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract

Asparagopsis Armata Extract

Algae Extract

Caffeine

Lactobacillus Ferment

Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Polyethylene

Glyceryl Stearate

Salicylic Acid

Sorbitol

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Cholesterol

Linoleic Acid

Glycine

Inulin

Tromethamine

Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl

Phytosphingosine

Cetyl Alcohol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Bisabolol

Squalane

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Behenyl Alcohol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Carbomer

Silica

Disodium EDTA

Potassium Sorbate

CI 42090

CI 19140

CI 77289

CI 77891

Mica

Water, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Trisiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sucrose, Isostearyl Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitol, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Glycine, Inulin, Tromethamine, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Phytosphingosine, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Squalane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 77289, CI 77891, Mica

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!

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