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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Bolden Hydrating Cleanser versus SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum .

Published on November 11, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E

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, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

Serum American Brand United States

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Hydrating Cleanser

Shop

Buy Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum

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

AHA
BHA
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (5)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (7)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (7)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

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

WaterButylene GlycolPropanediolEthylhexyl OlivateCetearyl AlcoholChlorogenic AcidsNiacinamideLauryl LactateDimethyl IsosorbidePyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl EsterHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractAscorbyl TetraisopalmitateErgothioneineBenzylidene DimethoxydimethylindanoneArabidopsis Thaliana ExtractCarnosineCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractVitis Vinifera Seed ExtractTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract Curcuma Longa Root ExtractOlea Europaea Fruit ExtractEuterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2Buddleja Officinalis Flower ExtractCoffea Arabica Leaf Cell ExtractCrocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture ExtractSuperoxide DismutaseUbiquinonePlankton ExtractMicrococcus LysateArginineZingiber Officinale Root ExtractCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPLinoleic AcidLinolenic AcidSea Whip ExtractBisabololTocopherolTocopheryl AcetateCholesterolPhytosphingosineJojoba EstersSodium PCAPentylene GlycolMethyl Gluceth-20GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed WaxAcacia Decurrens Flower WaxLecithinSodium Lauroyl LactylateDicetyl PhosphatePropanediol Dicaprylate/CapratePolyglycerin-3Ceteth-20 PhosphateDiisostearyl MalateXanthan GumSteareth-2Acacia Senegal GumPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateCarbomerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDextranRicinoleth-40Sodium HydroxideCitric AcidSodium PhytateEthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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: 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

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 49.

3
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Bisabolol comes from German chamomile essential oil. Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Bisabolol helps soothe skin. It does this by blocking the inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Bisabolol also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Learn more about Bisabolol

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 68.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.

6
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

7
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 38.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

8
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

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 40.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 59.

9
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 45.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 71.

10
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Bolden Hydrating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 46.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 67.

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

57% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
24% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for Bolden Hydrating Cleanser.

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum.

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