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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule versus SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 02, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Ampoule Brand
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

Ampoule

Ampoules are created to target one area of concern. They are usually highly concentrated with active or beneficial ingredients.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Super Balance Brightening Ampoule

Shop

Buy Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum

Starts at $11.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Acne Trigger

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 2.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 4.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 5.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 6.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 9.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 10.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 11.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 15.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 16.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 18.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

11
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind to large amounts of water. This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.

Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing,

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 20.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

12
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.

The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 21.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

59% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
22% have mixed ratings
11% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Barr Super Balance Brightening Ampoule 22 ingredients

Super Balance Brightening Ampoule hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum 36 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 6 ratings
Light (2) Hydrating (2) Absorbs Well (2) Works Well (1) No Scent (1) Great Value (1)
faulmag's avatar

faulmag

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

I really wanted to use this, but sadly it was quite irritating for my skin and just made it redder (I believe I am allergic to centella). However,...

I really wanted to use this, but sadly it was quite irritating for my skin and just made it redder (I believe I am allergic to centella). However, I gave it to my boyfriend likes it, it helps with redness a lot. It is nicely hydrating, and it does have an interesting moderately-strong floral scent, which I was not expecting. It also has a nice texture and spreads very smoothly. I can't really speak for it's long-term effects on the skin.

AJ_'s avatar

AJ_

3 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Absorbed into skin well, but didn't notice much difference when using it, I think it made my skin worse on some days

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