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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster versus The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum .

Last updated on February 19, 2024. Published on February 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Me+ Prebiotic Booster

Shop

Buy Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

Starts at $17.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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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.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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 Propanediol

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 5.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 44.

4
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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 Gum

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 16.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 43.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 17.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

8
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster contains this as ingredient number 24.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
28% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
47% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
20% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Superdrug Me+ Prebiotic Booster 32 ingredients

Me+ Prebiotic Booster hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 7 ratings
Broke Me Out (1)
mikkoflam's avatar

mikkoflam

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

unfortunately broke me out really badly after 1 week use.

Linzaboo's avatar

Linzaboo

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Take away my irritation in one use!

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Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum.

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