Westman Atelier Skin Activator Serum Versus Sarah Creal Moisture Source Bi-Phase Brightening Essence
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides and PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones 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
Westman Atelier Skin Activator Serum 50 ingredients
Sarah Creal Moisture Source Bi-Phase Brightening Essence 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Westman Atelier Skin Activator Serum 50 ingredients
Sarah Creal Moisture Source Bi-Phase Brightening Essence 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentOlive Glycerides
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
PCA
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Adenosine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glutamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Maltodextrin, Olive Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Biotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide, Beta-Glucan, PCA, Myristyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Swertia Chirata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Tin Oxide
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xylitol
HumectantHeptyl Glucoside
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium PCA, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xylitol, Heptyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glucose, Calcium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideButylene 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 BenzoateGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneThis ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
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