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ISANA Pure Serum Versus ISANA Glycerin Serum

Serum
Serum
German Brand Germany
German Brand Germany

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

Suited For

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

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

ISANA Pure Serum 9 ingredients

ISANA Glycerin Serum 12 ingredients

Free from

Safety & Ethics

German Brand

Brand country of origin

Free from

Safety & Ethics

German Brand

Brand country of origin

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

ISANA Pure Serum 9 ingredients

ISANA Glycerin Serum 12 ingredients

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Benefits

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Pure Serum
Water 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.

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Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
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Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

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3 Benefits
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Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon

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.

Very disliked
PreservativePreservative Icon
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Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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3 Benefits
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Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

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AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon
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Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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.

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Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon
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Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked by users
AHAAHA Icon5 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Glycerin Serum
Water 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.

Loved by users
Learn more
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
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Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Loved by users
3 Benefits
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Propanediol Solvent

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.

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Cellulose Gum Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
0 / 0

Cellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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Glycine Buffering, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

This ingredient is an amino acid that helps build proteins and moisturizes skin. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

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Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
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Leucine Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Leucine yet.

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Proline Skin Conditioning

Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.

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Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium 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.

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PreservativePreservative Icon
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Potassium Sorbate Preservative
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

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PreservativePreservative Icon
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Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked by users
AHAAHA Icon5 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

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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.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Loved

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
Buffering, Masking
Disliked

Citric 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 Acid

Ingredient Ratings

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

When to use

ISANA Pure Serum 9 ingredients

ISANA Glycerin Serum 12 ingredients

19 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
89% use every day
36 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ISANA Pure Serum 9 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
Amarantha's avatar

Amarantha

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

My current favourite hydrating serum.

ISANA Glycerin Serum 12 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light Scent (1)
Amarantha's avatar

Amarantha

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Hydrates well but gets tacky if you apply too much.