The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer. 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 Ascorbyl Glucoside and Acetyl Glucosamine to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. No concerns 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 Butylene Glycol Isododecane Cyclopentasiloxane Polysilicone-11 Ascorbyl Glucoside Tromethamine Curcuma Longa Root Extract Morus Bombycis Root Extract Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract Betula Alba Bark Extract Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Trametes Versicolor Extract Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract Morus Nigra Root Extract Molasses Extract Citrus Grandis Peel Extract Hordeum Vulgare Extract Salicylic Acid Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Algae Extract Caffeine Gentiana Lutea Root Extract Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Saccharomyces Lysate Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Faex Extract Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica Sorbitol Cholesterol Phospholipids Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride Squalane PEG-10 Dimethicone PEG-6 Glycerin Sucrose Polysorbate 20 Tocopheryl Acetate Isohexadecane Acetyl Glucosamine Propylene Glycol Dicaprate Arginine Helianthus Annuus Seedcake Sodium Rna Caprylyl Glycol Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol Glycyrrhetinic Acid Sodium Hyaluronate Polysorbate 80 Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer Carbomer Potassium Sorbate Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Sulfite Sodium Metabisulfite Hexylene Glycol Disodium EDTA CI 19140 CI 15985 Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Faex Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Glycerin, Sucrose, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Arginine, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sodium Rna, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hexylene Glyc Be the first to review 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%. 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!