Versus

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum Versus Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum For Sensitive Skin

Serum
Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Isodecyl Neopentanoate yet.

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

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.

Antimicrobial, Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

When to use

992 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
300 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 17 ratings
Broke Me Out (5) Irritating (4) Sticky (4)
mikkoflam's avatar

mikkoflam

1 year ago
Review

unfortunately broke me out really badly after 1 week use.

#broke me out
JaxC's avatar

JaxC

11 months ago
Review

After using this for a few weeks I was amazed at how well it improved my skin’s texture. I have to take corticosteroids for life, which has thinned my skin substantially, which in turn has made my skin very susceptible to eczema and scarring from even the smallest acne spot. This has made my skin plump and healthy looking once again and made it so when a spot shows up, the scaring is almost Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#sticky

Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum For Sensitive Skin 19 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 8 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
valarierobyn's avatar

valarierobyn

2 years ago
Review

Simple but clogged some pores
I use this under my moisterizer that tends to be drying. This leaves my sensitive skin feeling soft and not red, but I did notice some clogged pores pop up. I like the texture, however—it is very light and waterlike.

jp2's avatar

J P

11 months ago
Review

Nice ingredients but it sometimes stings my ultra sensitive skin. Very hydrating. I probably will not repurchase.

#hydrating
#no scent