The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density Versus Nioxin System 2 Scalp & Hair Thickening Treatment
Updated on October 25, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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 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
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 36 ingredients
Nioxin System 2 Scalp & Hair Thickening Treatment 46 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 36 ingredients
Nioxin System 2 Scalp & Hair Thickening Treatment 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Chloride
SoothingLactic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caffeine, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Chloride, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Dextran, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acetamide Mea
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentMethylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acetamide Mea, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methyl Nicotinate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, PEG-23m, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Biotin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Silica, Citric Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Faex Extract, Propylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, BHT
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCaffeine 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 CaffeineCamellia 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 ExtractMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 BenzoatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 36 ingredients
Nioxin System 2 Scalp & Hair Thickening Treatment 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 36 ingredients
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
Unfortunately, this hair serum didn't work for me—it left my scalp greasy, itchy, and even caused dandruff.
