Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment Versus ZO Skin Health Illuminating Aox Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, retinoid and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
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
Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment 27 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Illuminating Aox Serum 53 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment 27 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Illuminating Aox Serum 53 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, BHT, Retinol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Methylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLeontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Oleth-20
CleansingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Methylene Glycol
AntimicrobialC12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters
Perfuming
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water, Coconut Alkanes, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycol Distearate, Polyacrylamide, Oleth-20, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Glycol Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Ethyl Ferulate, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isostearic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Methylene Glycol, C12-18 Fatty Acids Methyl Esters, Lauryl Alcohol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Parfum
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 GlycerinStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 GlycolPolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideC13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 EDTASodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment 27 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Illuminating Aox Serum 53 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment 27 ingredients
Absolutely destroyed my skin. Run far, far away from this product. I got so close to clearing up all my hyperpigmentation just to have this make it 100 times worse.
At first I used this serum all over my face and it make me look so greasy, I guess its not suitable for acne prone/oily skin, but then I began using it as a spot treatment and I guess it worked? I don't know, my dark spots visibly faded in 2-3 days but I'm not sure if it was this or the snail mucin I'm also using. It did clogged my pores though ....
