Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum Versus Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
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
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Trehalose
HumectantPaeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicCholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Algae Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
PEG-8
HumectantSucrose
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingOleth-10
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trisiloxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Trehalose, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ng, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Algae Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Caffeine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, PEG-8, Sucrose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Oleth-10, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Silica, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Glycerin 20%
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenyl Triacetate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Naringenin
Skin ConditioningC15-23 Alkane
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Alkane
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin 20%, Water, Dimethicone, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenyl Triacetate, Niacinamide, Naringenin, C15-23 Alkane, 1,2-Hexanediol, C13-14 Alkane, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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 WaterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideCitric 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 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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
I don’t usually do well with silicones but this product doesn’t seem to bother me. I have no idea why. I use a very strong retinoid (tazortene) every night and needed something to help repair my barrier. There are not a lot of products available to help with barrier repair that are FA safe. I’ve tried a lot and after using this for months now, I think I’ve settled on this one. This definitely Show more
Originally bought as a multi use hydration serum for my eyes and lips, but it definitely tastes and smells weird if you put it near your lips!
