Versus

SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex Versus SkinMedica TNS® Advanced+ Serum

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 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 harsh alcohols, oils, parabens 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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
TNS® Advanced+ Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

This is a growth factor ingredient. Growth factors stimulate cell growth and healing.

Studies find they help with:

The term "conditioned media" refers to a mix of lab grown growth-factors. Just so you know - the US allows human-derived growth factors. However, human-derived growth factors are illegal in the EU and plant sources are used as an alternative.

According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:

However, many people have seen great results from using growth factor serums.

There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer.

Learn more about Human Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media
Humectant, Solvent

Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.

Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.

Learn more about Ethoxydiglycol

Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.

Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

33 Routines
36% use in am
64% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
133 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex 18 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

SkinMedica TNS® Advanced+ Serum 35 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Light Scent (1) Pilling (1)
yyyydddd's avatar

yyyydddd

1 month ago
Review

Upon first try, I liked the glowy dewy effect it gave under my moisturizer and sunscreen. However, I can't help but notice that it pills quite badly. It wasn't returnable so I forced myself to use it and oh boy... If comedones popping up everywhere around my cheekbones and forehead by the first week wasn't bad enough, the pump started malfunction very soon. Actually baffling how popular this Show more

#broke me out
#pilling
#light scent
Srr1111's avatar

Srr1111

1 year ago
Review

Keeps my skin youthful