Avène Cicalfate+ Intensive Skin Recovery Serum Versus Biologique Recherche Colostrum VG Serum
Updated on July 23, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Avène Cicalfate+ Intensive Skin Recovery Serum 14 ingredients
Biologique Recherche Colostrum VG Serum 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Cicalfate+ Intensive Skin Recovery Serum 14 ingredients
Biologique Recherche Colostrum VG Serum 21 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLuffa Cylindrica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Alisma Orientale Extract
Skin ProtectingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Luffa Cylindrica Seed Oil, Alisma Orientale Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène Cicalfate+ Intensive Skin Recovery Serum 14 ingredients
Biologique Recherche Colostrum VG Serum 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avène Cicalfate+ Intensive Skin Recovery Serum 14 ingredients
Great for damaged skin barrier. It’s a very thick and rich serum, works well in healing. Would opt for something lighter if the skin is not very dried out and damaged.
