Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer Versus Skin Script Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum
Updated on April 28, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Skin Script Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum 47 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
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Skin Script Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Triisononanoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
Phenyl T-Butylnitrone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Triisononanoin, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cholesteryl Chloride, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Phytic Acid, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantHoney
Humectant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sphingolipids
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Carrageenan
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Octyldodecanol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-8, Honey, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phospholipids, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Dicaprylyl Ether, Gluconolactone, Carbomer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sphingolipids, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Allantoin, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Carrageenan
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideXanthan 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 GumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Carbomer 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePotassium 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 SorbateAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder comes from the aloe plant.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.
Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer 30 ingredients
Skin Script Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum 47 ingredients
Reviews
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