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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum versus Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum .

Published on March 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, scar healing and better texture

Free From

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

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

Serum American Brand United States
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

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Buy Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum

Starts at $43.40
Shop

Buy Salicylic Serum

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

PHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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

Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

32% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
36% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
14% 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

Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 19 ingredients

Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum 14 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Face Reality Skincare Salicylic Serum.

See 50 alternatives
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