Versus

Elemis Peptide4 Antioxidant Hydra-Serum Versus Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum

Serum
Serum
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on November 29, 2023

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Peptide4 Antioxidant Hydra-Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Coco-Caprylate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Steareth-2

Emulsifying
2 / 2

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract

Humectant

Steareth-21

Cleansing

Propanediol

Solvent

Diheptyl Succinate

Emollient

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Disodium EDTA

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Lunaria Annua Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract

Humectant

Crocus Sativus Flower Extract

Masking

Saccharide Hydrolysate

Humectant

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Juniperus Mexicana Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

Emollient
1 / 0

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein

Skin Conditioning

Eugenol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Polianthes Tuberosa Flower Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellal

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Myrocarpus Fastigiatus Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil

Masking
Oil Icon
KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol
Solvent

Propanediol 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 Propanediol

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 EDTA
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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
Buffering, Masking

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

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 even out skin tone.

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.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 

When to use

2 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
50% use every day
12 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
67% use every day