Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp versus Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster .

Last updated on October 25, 2023. Published on September 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones 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 Canadian Brand Canada
Scalp Treatment American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Scalp Treatment

Products to help treat conditions relating to the scalp.

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

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
PHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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 Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 1.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

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

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 4.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 26.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster contains this as ingredient number 26.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 34.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster 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 Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 35.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster contains this as ingredient number 25.

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

61% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp 36 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) No Scent (1)
Yoshikage_Kira04's avatar

Yoshikage_Kira04

11 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Excellent For Dry Scalp
For someone who has had a dry scalp condition since birth, this product works extremely well. I put it on at nighttime and...

Excellent For Dry Scalp
For someone who has had a dry scalp condition since birth, this product works extremely well. I put it on at nighttime and when I wake up, my scalp has far less flakes than it had last night. I do this daily and there has been a huge reduction in itching, redness and flakiness.

Just don't put this on your face, since it causes fungal acne.

CaroleD's avatar

CaroleD

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Absolutely terrible for me, personally.

It must feed the type of fungus I have on my scalp because it made my dandruff sooo much worse, like...

Absolutely terrible for me, personally.

It must feed the type of fungus I have on my scalp because it made my dandruff sooo much worse, like huge flakes formed overnight.

I possibly have fungal acne, so if you have it I would definitely avoid it. Coconut oil does the same thing to me.

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster 31 ingredients

Scalp Stimulating Booster hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 26 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp.

See 26 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster.

See 2 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...