PCA Skin Total Strength Serum Versus PCA Skin Exlinea Peptide Smoothing Serum
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, PHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
PCA Skin Total Strength Serum 31 ingredients
PCA Skin Exlinea Peptide Smoothing Serum 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PCA Skin Total Strength Serum 31 ingredients
PCA Skin Exlinea Peptide Smoothing Serum 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingSantalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil
Masking
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Totarol
Antioxidant
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Glycosaminoglycans, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Gluconolactone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Adenosine, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Santalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil, Silybum Marianum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Totarol, Tocotrienols, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Citric Acid, Phospholipids, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSantalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Water, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Gluconolactone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Santalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Tropolone, Mentha Piperita Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Squalene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePotassium 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 SorbateSantalum Austrocaledonicum Wood Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.
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.
It 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (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 TocopherolWe don't have a description for Tocotrienols yet.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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