Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum versus Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum .
Published on November 01, 2020
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum 30 ingredients
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum 30 ingredients
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum 30 ingredients
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Alcohol Denat. • Acacia Senegal Gum • Glyceryl Stearate • Mannose • Microcrystalline Cellulose • Benzyl Alcohol • Zea Mays Starch • Glycine Soja Oil • Carrageenan • Parfum • Arginine • Salicylic Acid • Cellulose Gum • Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Xanthan Gum • Zingiber Officinale Root Extract • Phospholipids • Adenosine • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Limonene • Linalool • Citral • Tocopherol • Geraniol • Citronellol • Citric Acid
Water • Dimethicone • Glycerin • Alcohol Denat. • Hamamelis Virginiana Water • Propanediol • Phenoxyethanol • Tocopherol • Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract • Capryloyl Carnosine • Salicylic Acid • Caprylyl Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate • Disodium EDTA • Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil • Limonene • Adenosine • Sodium Hydroxide • Methyldihydrojasmonate • Citric Acid • Eugenol • Sodium Benzoate • Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil • Citral • Potassium Sorbate • Lavandula Angustifolia Oil • Cymbopogon Nardus Oil • Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil • Citronellol • Linalool • Geraniol • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
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 GumThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Panax Ginseng Root is a popular herb from Asia. This root contains antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.
Ginseng Root helps increase skin hydration, even out texture and tone, and helps improve wrinkles.
Ginseng root helps improve blood circulation and oxygen flow. This in turn helps nourish the skin and improve wrinkles. By speeding up circulation, ginseng root can also help drain fluids.
Ginseng root contains both Vitamin D and B12. Both of these vitamins help boost collagen production in your skin. Collagen gives you skin the appearance of looking plump and firm.
Ginseng Root can also aid in decreasing inflammation.
Studies also show ginseng may help with hyperpigmentation. Ginseng disrupts the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.
Historically, people in East Asia have used ginseng as both food and medicine.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Citral is a fragrance and used to add a lemon-like scent to products. It is both naturally found in plants and created synthetically. In plants, it is commonly occurring in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon tea-tree, lemon verbena, and other citruses.
The EU mandates Citral be listed separately as a fragrance. It is a known allergen and may cause contact dermatitis. Citral can also used as a masking ingredient.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
Learn more about CitralThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThe Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum 30 ingredients
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Body Shop Roots of Strength™ Firming Shaping Serum 30 ingredients
Kiehl's Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum 38 ingredients
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