Superdrug Me+ Hyaluronic Booster Versus Bielenda Hydro Lipidium Moisturizing & Soothing Barrier Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phosphatidylserine
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Isostearate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Propanediol, Squalane, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phosphatidylserine, Glycolipids, Beta-Sitosterol, Phospholipids, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Squalene, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Isostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
