Educational guide
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Sephora Collection Clarifying Serum 5%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Sephora Collection Clarifying Serum 5% This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. This smoothing serum is formulated around Lactic Acid
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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Sephora Collection Clarifying Serum 5%
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
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
Lactic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Salicylic Acid
Citric Acid
Glycerin
Saccharide Isomerate
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Citrate
Zinc Sulfate
Water, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Sulfate
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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.
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.