Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum Versus APRILSKIN Calendula 10% PHA+AHA Resurfacing Serum
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Gluconolactone to refine skin texture and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventZinc PCA
HumectantArbutin
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingSambucus Nigra Flower
Skin ConditioningMomordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingGluconolactone
ChelatingMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningIndigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract
PerfumingHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMyosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Tromethamine, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate