Dr. Pong Barrier X Ultimate Defense Serum Versus Papa Recipe Niacinamide Zinc Serum
Updated on March 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Dr. Pong Barrier X Ultimate Defense Serum 58 ingredients
Papa Recipe Niacinamide Zinc Serum 16 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Pong Barrier X Ultimate Defense Serum 58 ingredients
Papa Recipe Niacinamide Zinc Serum 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingPolyacrylamide
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSpent Grain Wax
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlucose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-7
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Polyacrylamide, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Spent Grain Wax, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-7, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phytosphingosine, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Oleic Acid, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose1,2-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
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 GumCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
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