Versus

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density Versus Babe Original Densifying Hair Serum

Hair Loss
Hair Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 30 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, peptides and PHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Densifying Hair Serum

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant

Argan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters

Cleansing
Oil Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Cetyl Betaine

Cleansing

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dimethyl Sulfone

Solvent

Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

Xylitol

Humectant

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Humectant

Sclerotium Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Pisum Sativum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glucose

Humectant

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Phytate

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

PPG-26-Buteth-26

Skin Conditioning

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Germ Extract

Emollient

Sorbic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Biotin

Antiseborrhoeic

Dextran

Disodium EDTA

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Masking
0-1 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3

Skin Protecting
Peptide Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Larix Europaea Wood Extract

Humectant

Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Astringent
Good for Minimizing Pores Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Daucus Carota Sativa Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Glycine Max Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Bran Oil Extract

Skin Conditioning
Oil Icon

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Octapeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Phenethyl Alcohol

Masking

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Ceramide Ng

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glycine Soja Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Apigenin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine

Emulsifying

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Oleanolic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Zinc Chloride

Soothing

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1

Peptide Icon

Sodium Oleate

Cleansing

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Argan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Parfum, Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer, Caffeine, Cetyl Betaine, Anhydroxylitol, Benzyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Dimethyl Sulfone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Xylitol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Arginine, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Sorbic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Biotin, Dextran, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Octapeptide-2, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide Ng, Glycine Soja Oil, Apigenin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Oleanolic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Oleate

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

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
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 is a peptide.

Skin Protecting

This biometic peptide is designed to support hair growth.

According to a manufacturer, it stimulates hair growth by:

The manufacturer has found combining this ingredient with red clover extract (Capixyl) boosted benefits. Not only does it enforce the scalp's extracellular matrix, it also inhibits the enzyme that creates DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss.

While this ingredient is promising, more research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.

Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Larix Europaea is a larch tree native to Europe.

It is used in the treatment Redensyl, an alternative to Minoxidil for hair growth. Redensyl targets stem cells and fibroblasts from top, inner layer of your skin.

Larix Europaea bark contains antioxidants and phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, spiro-polyphenols, and procyanidins.

Flavonoids are naturally-occuring compounds in plants. You can also find them in foods such as wine, tea, and chocolate.

Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and are anti-inflammation. Antioxidants help your body fight off free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable and may cause damage to cells.

Learn more about Larix Europaea Wood Extract
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Pisum Sativum Extract yet.

Astringent, Humectant, Soothing

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.

In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.

In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.

Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

This ingredient is extracted from the germ part of the wheat plant. The germ of a plant refers to the seed embryo, or part that sprouts into a new plant.

Some studies have found wheat germ to help with wound healing.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Glycine Soja Germ Extract yet.

Astringent, Masking

This extract comes from the flower more commonly known as red clover.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Camellia 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 Extract
Antioxidant

Apigenin is an antioxidant.

Skin Conditioning

Oleanolic acid is a type of triterpene.

Triterpenes are chemical compounds found in various plants such as pomegranates, apples, basil, and rosemary. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Masking, Skin Conditioning

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Buffering, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an amino acid that helps build proteins and moisturizes skin. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

Glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized as amino acids transport moisture throughout our skin.

As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed glycine may help our skin produce more collagen.

Learn more about Glycine
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.

Soothing

We don't have a description for Zinc Chloride yet.

Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid
Skin Conditioning

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.

When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:

In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.

This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.

Learn more about Gluconolactone

Dextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.

Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.

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
Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet.

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.

Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

Antioxidant, Preservative

Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.

Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

106 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 36 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
javierbellidoroldan's avatar

Javier Bellido Roldan

3 months ago
Review

It certainly has a positive effect. Even though I have sebderm it does not break me out much, even with all the oily ingredients.

It is not too hard to apply and overall I am happy

tatobean's avatar

Tato Bean

8 months ago
Review

Unfortunately, this hair serum didn't work for me—it left my scalp greasy, itchy, and even caused dandruff.

Babe Original Densifying Hair Serum 71 ingredients

Densifying Hair Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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