Versus

ISANA Balance Serum Versus Nø Cosmetics Happy Today 120h Liquid Hydrator

Serum
Serum
German Brand Germany
German Brand Germany

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

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

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Happy Today 120h Liquid Hydrator

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
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol 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 Panthenol
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
Skin Conditioning

Ectoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.

This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.

When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.

Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:

A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.

Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.

In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:

Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.

Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.

Learn more about Ectoin
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

35 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
224 Routines
54% use in am
46% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ISANA Balance Serum 14 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Great Value (3) Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

2 months ago
Review

It became easily my HG!
I use it as last step as mousterizer and not serum, because it has already 5% Squalane. It doesn’t break out, the application is very smooth!
Also the Panthenol in it works great on my skin.
Overall the combination of the ingredients is fantastic here.
Only thing I agree with the other review though, it would have been better in a pump bottle. It’s too thick in Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
amr_5's avatar

amr_5

6 months ago
Review

you cannot do anything wrong with this! :) has a nice milky look, feels very nourishing and hydrating but light enough to not be greasy

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Nø Cosmetics Happy Today 120h Liquid Hydrator 41 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
magicalmarion's avatar

magicalmarion

1 year ago
Review

Super toller und sehr ergiebiger Moisturizer der einfach zu handhaben ist. Klebt vom Gefühl her etwas :) für Fungalakne nicht geeignet, jedoch in der 500ml Packung ein toller Bodymoistruizer. Tolles Familienunternehmen aus Deutschland:)

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent