ISANA Calming Barrier Serum Versus The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
ISANA Calming Barrier Serum 24 ingredients
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ISANA Calming Barrier Serum 24 ingredients
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Niacinamide, Distarch Phosphate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Pectin, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Madecassoside, Phospholipids, Cyanocobalamin, Sphingolipids, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hexyldecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantCeteth-20 Phosphate
CleansingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantEthyl Linoleate
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Naringenin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Triacetate
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Sphingolipids
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingPhytic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Anhydroxylitol, Ethyl Linoleate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Naringenin, Cyanocobalamin, Panthenyl Triacetate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Bisabolol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Xylitol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Dicetyl Phosphate, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 WaterNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideXanthan 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 GumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsCyanocobalamin is the manufactured version of vitamin B12. It has skin soothing, antioxidant, and barrier protecting properties. Topical cyanocobalamin is used to treat skin irritation and atopic dermatitis.
We don't have a description for Sphingolipids yet.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWe don't have a description for P-Anisic Acid yet.
Sodium 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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
ISANA Calming Barrier Serum 24 ingredients
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
ISANA Calming Barrier Serum 24 ingredients
This one works well for soothing skin and repairing barrier. I mainly used it on my exfoliation and retinol nights, and sometimes after niacinamide in the morning. It's pink colored, a bit thick, and has an interesting scent.
I love this product! It soothing, hydrating and keeps my skin barrier intact. However it does unfortunely pill, so just use it in the evening and it has a smell, which probably isn't for everyone.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients
unfortunately broke me out really badly after 1 week use.
After using this for a few weeks I was amazed at how well it improved my skin’s texture. I have to take corticosteroids for life, which has thinned my skin substantially, which in turn has made my skin very susceptible to eczema and scarring from even the smallest acne spot. This has made my skin plump and healthy looking once again and made it so when a spot shows up, the scaring is almost Show more
