e.l.f. cosmetics Oil Control Pore Minimizing Serum Versus Dr. Wu Dermlab Niacinamide 10% + Panthenol 1%
Updated on February 23, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
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
e.l.f. cosmetics Oil Control Pore Minimizing Serum 21 ingredients
Dr. Wu Dermlab Niacinamide 10% + Panthenol 1% 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Oil Control Pore Minimizing Serum 21 ingredients
Dr. Wu Dermlab Niacinamide 10% + Panthenol 1% 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sea Silt
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Tartrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tea-Sorbate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
C12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
C12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOleth-12
EmulsifyingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Panthenol, Sea Silt, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium Tartrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid, Tea-Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, C12-13 Pareth-23, Polysorbate 60, C12-13 Pareth-3, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Oleth-12
Ingredients 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 WaterNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 HyaluronatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 GumSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearatePolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
