Sweet Chemistry O3 Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum Versus First Aid Beauty Dark Spot Serum With Niacinamide
Updated on July 02, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Sweet Chemistry O3 Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum 74 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Dark Spot Serum With Niacinamide 24 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sweet Chemistry O3 Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum 74 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Dark Spot Serum With Niacinamide 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCholesterol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Copper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract, Ceramide NP, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Cholesterol, Propanediol, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50, Heptapeptide-15, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Colloidal Oatmeal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Thioctic Acid, Ubiquinone, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Myristyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Laureth-4, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Sweet Chemistry O3 Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum 74 ingredients
First Aid Beauty Dark Spot Serum With Niacinamide 24 ingredients
