Revolution Beauty Haircare Salicylic Acid Purifying Scalp Serum Versus Viviscal Hair Thickening Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe hair serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
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
Revolution Beauty Haircare Salicylic Acid Purifying Scalp Serum 26 ingredients
Viviscal Hair Thickening Serum 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Revolution Beauty Haircare Salicylic Acid Purifying Scalp Serum 26 ingredients
Viviscal Hair Thickening Serum 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Pullulan
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Pantolactone
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicylic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Betaine, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Piroctone Olamine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pullulan, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Gum, Benzoic Acid, Pantolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyimide-1
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSea Salt
Abrasive
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Alcohol Denat., Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyimide-1, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Soluble Collagen, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sea Salt, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biotin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Eugenol
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 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 20Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateIngredient Ratings
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