Essence Hello Good Stuff! Skin Clearing Serum Versus Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum
Updated on March 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain PHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Essence Hello Good Stuff! Skin Clearing Serum 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Essence Hello Good Stuff! Skin Clearing Serum 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Oleoyl Sarcosinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Oleate
CleansingSodium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Gluconolactone, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Oleoyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 47005
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol
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 WaterGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChloridePhenoxyethanol 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.
When to use
Essence Hello Good Stuff! Skin Clearing Serum 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Essence Hello Good Stuff! Skin Clearing Serum 21 ingredients
Works immediately and clears the skin. Can be a bit drying
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
It was the first serum I ever used. It helped a lot with my dry, dehydrated skin. But after a while I felt like moving on because I realized I could have the same job done with a good moisturizer. Plus, it got really expensive.
