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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum versus Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum .

Published on November 17, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens 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 British Brand United Kingdom

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

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

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger

Benefits

Hydrating

Concerns

Eczema
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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

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

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.

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Polyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.

Polyglutamic Acid is an effective skin hydrator and may help speed up wound healing. As a humectant, it draws and holds water to the skin. This ingredient is often compared to hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can vary in molecular weights. This means polyglutamic acid is capable of bringing hydration to lower levels of the skin.

Polyglutamic Acid is found in the Japanese food, natto. It is also being used in cancer treatment studies.

Learn more about Polyglutamic Acid

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising
Community Rating: Mixed

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Hydroxyethylcellulose helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

28% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
0% 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

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum 25 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light Scent (1) Pilling (1) Works Well (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

I've been checking out products with Polyglutamic Acid, since it can hold up to four times more moisture than Hyaluronic Acid. The serum smells...

I've been checking out products with Polyglutamic Acid, since it can hold up to four times more moisture than Hyaluronic Acid. The serum smells slightly chemical like many INKEY List products. It is quite good and leaves my dry skin very hydrated and moisturized. Would probably buy it again, if it weren't for the pilling. [Updated: Rating]

eileenfunny's avatar

eileenfunny

12 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I must have after Hyaluronic Acid serum. Just locks everything in. Also a great primer before makeup.

Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum 7 ingredients

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Skincyclopedia 3% Polyglutamic Acid Face Serum.

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