What's inside
What's inside
Ingredients Side-by-side
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerColloidal Silver is mixture of tiny silver particles in a liquid base. It has antimicrobial properties.
Silver ions work by disrupting the cell membranes of bacteria that ultimately leads to cell death; this is why you'll see it appear in wound dressings, acne treatments, and products for acne-prone skin.
Silver nanoparticle gel performed comparably to the antiobiotic clindamcyin in a double-blinded, randomized study for treating moderate acne (both were combined with benzoyl peroxide).
It should be noted the overall body of clinical evidence is still pretty thin, and some in-vitro studies have found that commercially available colloidal silver solutions didn't actually show antimicrobial activity against tested organisms.
The most well-known risk of using this ingredient is argyria. Argyria is the condition where silver builds up in the body's tissues and causes a permanent bluish-gray skin discoloration (and this is mostly associated with oral ingestion rather than topical use).
The FDA ruled in 1999 that over-the-counter colloidal silver products are not generally recognized as safe and effective and the NCCIH notes that silver has no known beneficial function in the body and is not an essential mineral.
It's a good idea to talk to a dermatologist first and stick to well-formulated topical products if you're considering a colloidal silver skincare product.
Learn more about Colloidal Silver
