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Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum Versus Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

Serum
Exfoliator
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Zinc PCA Facial Serum
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Lactobacillus Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. It makes up most of the food fermenting lactic acid bacteria. It is used to create wine, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, beer, cider, kimchi, cocoa, kefir.

Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
3 Benefits

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.

Pentylene Glycol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Zinc PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Good for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon
2 Benefits

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.

Lactobacillus Ferment Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.

Lonicera Caprifolium Extract Astringent, Masking

This ingredient is derived from parts of the Italian honeysuckle plant. It has astringent, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

Unknown Full details ->
Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract comes from the honeysuckle.

Unknown Full details ->
Lactic Acid Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 6 Benefits 3 Concerns

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.

Glyceryl Caprylate Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut.

Biosaccharide Gum-1 Skin Conditioning

Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.

Collagen Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging Icon
Helps with Anti-AgingHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. It is an effective skin moisturizer.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning

Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate is created from fermenting leuconostoc, a microorganism.

Sodium Levulinate Skin Conditioning

Sodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.

Sodium Anisate Antimicrobial

Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.

Sodium Gluconate Skin Conditioning

This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.

Unknown Full details ->
Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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.

Disliked Full details ->
Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
Microcrystalline Cellulose Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Microcrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.

Magnesium Oxide Absorbent, Buffering

We don't have a description for Magnesium Oxide.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is a surfactant and helps with cleansing the skin.

Disliked Full details ->
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Abrasive, Antioxidant, Emollient
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
ExfoliantExfoliant Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.

Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate Cleansing, Foaming, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is the sodium salt from the lauric acid of glutamic acid.

Disliked Full details ->
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.

Oryza Sativa Starch Absorbent

Oryza Sativa Starch is an absorbent and used to mattify the skin. It is a natural carbohydrate and the main component of rice. A more common name for this ingredient is 'rice starch'.

Hydrogenated Coconut Acid Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Coconut Acid isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->
Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0 Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Papain Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Papain is an enzyme found naturally in the papaya plant's leaves, fruit, and roots. It has antimicrobial, soothing, and wound healing properties.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
BHABHA Icon PreservativePreservative Icon 5 Benefits 4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree. This tree is native to China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 5 Benefits

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon
Good for Dark SpotsGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

PCA Humectant, Moisturising

PCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.

Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract Antiseborrhoeic, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Cyclodextrin Absorbent

We don't have a description for Cyclodextrin.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Isethionate Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate.

Unknown Full details ->
Lauryl Methacrylate

We don't have a description for Lauryl Methacrylate.

Unknown Full details ->
Maltodextrin Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract Tonic
Good for Oily Skin Icon
Good for Oily SkinGood for Oily Skin Icon

Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract can be good for be good for oily skin.

Unknown Full details ->
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil Antioxidant, Perfuming
Antioxidant IconFragrance IconOil IconGood for Oily Skin Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon FragranceFragrance Icon OilOil Icon Good for Oily SkinGood for Oily Skin Icon

This tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon OilOil Icon

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil is the volatile oil expressed from the peel of the Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi, Rutaceae.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Dehydroacetate Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.

Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether Emulsion Stabilising, Humectant

We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether.

Unknown Full details ->
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Limonene Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

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

Zinc PCA Facial Serum
12
2
2
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
13
2
7
7
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

27 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
336 Routines
34% use in am
66% use in pm
60% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Q + A Zinc PCA Facial Serum 19 ingredients

Zinc PCA Facial Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 8 ratings
Works Well (3) Drying (1) Expensive (1)
mikeyreville's avatar

mikey

8 days ago · Combination Skin
Review

this has been my first time using it as i got a free sample mini bottle. just wow the only time i have never felt my skin so smooth is from over...

this has been my first time using it as i got a free sample mini bottle. just wow the only time i have never felt my skin so smooth is from over exfoliating with gritty abrasive sugar scrubs but not anymore. i left it on as a mask for 10 minutes and with wet hands gently brought it to a foam again before rinsing. honestly thinking about stealing a crate of this because of the price but that’s the only setback. i do reccomend the “i’m from rice exfoliating cleanser” by tonymoly if you are looking for a cheaper option!

emmat's avatar

emmat

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

scrumptious
love this, best thing ive ever used, makes my face bright and clear and uncongested. I dont use it every night since it irritates me,...

scrumptious
love this, best thing ive ever used, makes my face bright and clear and uncongested. I dont use it every night since it irritates me, if you have sensitive skin i wouldnt use this every night test a patch on your neck every night to see if your skin can take it