Q + A Niacinamide Facial Serum Versus Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum
Updated on December 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe 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, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones 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
Q + A Niacinamide Facial Serum 25 ingredients
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 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
Q + A Niacinamide Facial Serum 25 ingredients
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Capparis Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, Betaine, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Capparis Spinosa Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineBiosaccharide 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-1Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Q + A Niacinamide Facial Serum 25 ingredients
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 14 ingredients
Reviews
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