London Botanical Laboratories Bright Me Up | Hydrate & Glow Facial Serum Versus Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
Updated on July 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
London Botanical Laboratories Bright Me Up | Hydrate & Glow Facial Serum 20 ingredients
Balance Me Congested Skin Serum 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
London Botanical Laboratories Bright Me Up | Hydrate & Glow Facial Serum 20 ingredients
Balance Me Congested Skin Serum 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Picea Abies Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPapaver Rhoeas Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningKunzea Ericoides Leaf Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Dilauryl Citrate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Picea Abies Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Papaver Rhoeas Flower Extract, Kunzea Ericoides Leaf Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Laurate, Dilauryl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol, Geraniol, Citronellol
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 WaterAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin 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 GlycerinSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumXanthan 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 GumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolIngredient Ratings
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