Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum versus Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum .
Published on February 16, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Ingredient Info
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients
Water • Propylene Glycol • Lactobacillus • Betaine • Pentylene Glycol • Zinc PCA • Lactobacillus Ferment • Lonicera Caprifolium Extract • Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract • Lactic Acid • Glyceryl Caprylate • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Collagen • Glycerin • Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate • Sodium Levulinate • Sodium Anisate • Sodium Gluconate • Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.
Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.
This ingredient is a a skin conditioning ingredient and helps moisturize the skin.
It is also naturally found in fruits such as apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
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 GlycerinQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Sodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
It is a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps soften and hydrate your skin.
According to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the highest amounts of sodium levulinate are found in mouthwashes at 0.62%.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut.
Glyceryl Caprylate is used for its emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
Glyceryl Caprylate helps keep the ingredients such as oil and water together as an emulsifier.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Sodium Anisate has antimicrobial properties.
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumQ + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 43 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum.
See 43 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 28 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum.
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