L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Antioxidant Midnight Serum Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This serum is formulated around Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to calm irritation and control oil.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG-8, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Propylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Biotin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 14700, CI 19140, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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 Gum
