Florence by Mills Dreamy Drops Clarifying Serum Versus skyn ICELAND Icelandic Youth Serum with Red Algae
Updated on July 14, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones 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
Florence by Mills Dreamy Drops Clarifying Serum 31 ingredients
skyn ICELAND Icelandic Youth Serum with Red Algae 36 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Florence by Mills Dreamy Drops Clarifying Serum 31 ingredients
skyn ICELAND Icelandic Youth Serum with Red Algae 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Methylglucamine
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Ethyl Esters, Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Propanediol, Carbomer, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Methylglucamine, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAngelica Archangelica Root Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Oxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Perfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Angelica Archangelica Root Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Oxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Fullerenes, Propanediol, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycosphingolipids, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Perfluorodecalin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pvp, Sucrose Palmitate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateXanthan 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 GumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateCitric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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
Florence by Mills Dreamy Drops Clarifying Serum 31 ingredients
skyn ICELAND Icelandic Youth Serum with Red Algae 36 ingredients
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