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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair versus Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth .

Published on December 24, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe hair serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Hair Serum American Brand United States
Hair Serum American Brand United States

Hair Serum

Liquid-based hair treatment to help nourish the hair.

Hair Serum

Liquid-based hair treatment to help nourish the hair.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair

Starts at $52.00
Shop

Buy 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth

Starts at $86.00

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 (2)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Brightening
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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

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 1.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 3.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 4.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium 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 Hyaluronate

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 7.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 16.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 18.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 15.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 20.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 24.

7
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

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 22.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 23.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 23.

9
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.

Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair contains this as ingredient number 24.

Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth contains this as ingredient number 18.

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

21% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
32% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
21% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum for Healthy, Fuller Looking Hair.

See 2 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex™ Scalp Serum for Hair Growth.

See 3 alternatives
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