Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum versus Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum .

Published on February 02, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and peptides

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy FIRMx Collagen Serum

Starts at $39.50
Shop

Buy KateCeuticals Firming Serum

Starts at $110.00

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

AHA
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E (2)
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

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.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Polysilicone-11.

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
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

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 isn't fungal acne safe and is a peptide.

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

6
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

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

8
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

10
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.

As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.

Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.

Learn more about Sorbitan Isostearate

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.

12
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

13
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Isohexadecane

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

14
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.

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

15
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.

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum contains this as ingredient number 43.

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

38% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
28% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
26% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 32 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Serum.

See 32 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Firming Serum.

See 8 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...