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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid versus Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 04, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and silicones

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

Serum French Brand France
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

Shop

Buy Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Starts at $39.99
Shop

Buy Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum

Starts at $24.50

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

Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 2.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.

Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.

One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.

Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

Learn more about Alcohol Denat.

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 3.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 7.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It helps add stability and texture to a product.

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is stable over a wide pH range. Due to its ability to absorb water, it can help thicken the texture of a product.

As an emulsion stabilizer, this ingredient is able to stabilize and mix the other ingredients. This creates a consistent texture.

Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 13.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 14.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

7
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 16.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 17.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

9
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

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

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 18.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 20.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

11
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.

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid contains this as ingredient number 21.

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

41% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

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When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid 22 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 5 ratings
GabriellaTsoukalas's avatar

GabriellaTsoukalas

8 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

LOVED IT
My dermatologist recommended me this product after finishing my acne treatment pills. I LOOOVEEEED IT. I bought the effaclar serum so I...

LOVED IT
My dermatologist recommended me this product after finishing my acne treatment pills. I LOOOVEEEED IT. I bought the effaclar serum so I stopped using it. (I was so into La roche posay!!). I would repurchased it again and use it on my night routine (still trying to figure out what to use). It's a bit expensive for me hihi.

sagadell's avatar

sagadell

7 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

calming and non-irritant, doesnt trigger any redness, itchyness or burning sensation

Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients

Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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