Byko Barrier Recovery Serum Versus Pai Skincare Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum
Updated on October 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Byko Barrier Recovery Serum 18 ingredients
Pai Skincare Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum 25 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Byko Barrier Recovery Serum 18 ingredients
Pai Skincare Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
Humectant
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aster Tripolium Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchizandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Silica
Abrasive
Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aster Tripolium Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Schizandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract, Sodium Anisate, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Maltodextrin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Silica
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 GlycerinGlycolipids are natural, sustainable biosurfactants. They are both surfactants (cleansing agents) and emollients.
Made from lipids and sugars, in-vitro studies show glycolipids are a gentle alternative to conventional surfactants. They also possess foaming properties to give cleaning products a nice texture.
One manufacturer study found their glycolipid also demonstrated sebum reduction and helped reduced oiliness after four weeks. This means it can also be great for scalp care.
Learn more about GlycolipidsGlycosphingolipids are naturally found in the cell membranes of organisms. In animals, they are the major glycolipids found.
Glyolipids help ensure the stability of cell membranes. They also help with cellular recognition, such as allowing cells to form tissues in skin.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidWe don't have a description for Lysolecithin yet.
Pullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Byko Barrier Recovery Serum 18 ingredients
Pai Skincare Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum 25 ingredients
Reviews
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