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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Q10 versus The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum .

Published on October 23, 2021

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 and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Shop

Buy Q10

Starts at $8.49
Shop

Buy Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum

Starts at $15.00

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

Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Brightening (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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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 Q10 contains this as ingredient number 1.

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating 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 Q10 contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

The INKEY List Q10 contains this as ingredient number 5.

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

The INKEY List Q10 contains this as ingredient number 7.

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

5
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 Q10 contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

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

43% are loved or liked
26% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
28% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
8% 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 Q10 23 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating

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.

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