Seacret Bio Skin Glow HA Ampoule Serum Versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum
Updated on January 25, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and 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, dark spots and better texture
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
Seacret Bio Skin Glow HA Ampoule Serum 48 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum 27 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Seacret Bio Skin Glow HA Ampoule Serum 48 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Isostearate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingSea Salt
Abrasive
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Glucose
Humectant
Yeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Limonene, Mica, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Squalane, Adenosine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Sea Salt, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Polysorbate 20, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Linalool, Dunaliella Salina Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Glucose, Yeast Ferment Extract, Geraniol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMaclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Acetic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Panthenol, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Madecassic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Acetic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
