Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum Versus SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 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, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator 45 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator 45 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingVibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate
Abrasive
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Algin
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPullulan
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSea Water
HumectantSucrose Palmitate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Water, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Whey Protein, Plankton Extract, Trehalose, Urea, Serine, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pullulan, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Sea Water, Sucrose Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
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 GlycerinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 AcidSodium 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 CitrateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator 45 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum 20 ingredients
It was the first serum I ever used. It helped a lot with my dry, dehydrated skin. But after a while I felt like moving on because I realized I could have the same job done with a good moisturizer. Plus, it got really expensive.
