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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum versus Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum .

Last updated on October 16, 2023. Published on April 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum

Starts at $77.00
Shop

Buy Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

Starts at $38.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

38% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
60% are loved or liked
35% have mixed ratings
5% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum 16 ingredients

Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum 20 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review
a.b.c.d.e's Avatar'
Aug 4, 2023

Makes u SO glowy in the morning as and helps skin feel moisturized

Makes u SO glowy in the morning as and helps skin feel moisturized

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum.

See 50 alternatives
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