The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus L'Oreal 12% Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid Dark Spot Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus L'Oreal 12% Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid Dark Spot Serum

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

This brightening serum is formulated around Ferulic Acid and Phenylethyl Resorcinol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.

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

Glycerin

Alcohol Denat.

Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid

Dimethicone

Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Octyldodecanol

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Citric Acid

Ferulic Acid

Phenylethyl Resorcinol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate

Isopropyl Myristate

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

CI 77891

Isohexadecane

Mica

Poloxamer 338

Polysorbate 80

Sorbitan Oleate

Tin Oxide

Tocopherol

Dimethiconol

Parfum

Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Citric Acid, Ferulic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, CI 77891, Isohexadecane, Mica, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum

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!

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.

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