Comparison between Q+A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum vs. The Elements Nc Pore Refining Serum

Find out which product is better for your skin.

24 Ingredients 18

1
Water
1
Water
2
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice
2
Propylene Glycol
3
Propylene Glycol
3
Niacinamide
4
Azelaic Acid
4
Betaine
5
Betaine
5
Pentylene Glycol
6
Zinc PCA
6
Zinc PCA
7
Biosaccharide Gum-1
7
Glycerin
8
Glycerin
8
Biosaccharide Gum-1
-- Show others --
Uniqueness13 out of 24
54.2%
Uniqueness7 out of 18
38.9%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
No
No
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
9 out of 24
38%
chemical
10 out of 24
42%
natural
9 out of 18
50%
chemical
7 out of 18
39%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 3Negative: 0
Propylene Glycol#3Betaine#5Glycerin#8
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Citric Acid#24
Dry skin
Positive: 3Negative: 0
Propylene Glycol#2Betaine#4Glycerin#7
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Lactic Acid#18

Detailed view

Q+A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum vs. The Elements Nc Pore Refining Serum
Position 1
Both products have the same component on this position.

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent
UV Protection
Moisturizing
Soothing
Healing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice is a natural juice received from Aloe leaves. It has been used in cosmetics for hundreds of ages. Scientists have discovered that it contains more than 200 nutrients: minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and so on. It’s a good component for calming irritated skin. It also helps to heal wounds, helps the skin regenerate faster, improves collagen syncretization, tones up, and moisturizes the skin. It also provides a slight UV-filtering effect.
-- versus --

#2Propylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Propylene Glycol is a useful componet with many positive effects. It’s a very good moisturizer. It helps to deliver ingredients into deeper layers of the skin. It creates a protective layer on the skin preventing water loss. The component is researched very well and doesn’t have notable side effects. It’s used even for making food.

Position 3

#3Propylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Propylene Glycol is a useful componet with many positive effects. It’s a very good moisturizer. It helps to deliver ingredients into deeper layers of the skin. It creates a protective layer on the skin preventing water loss. The component is researched very well and doesn’t have notable side effects. It’s used even for making food.

-- versus --

#3Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

Position 4

#4Azelaic Acid

Origin: No information
Role: Buffering agent, Fragrance ingredient, Masking
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
-- versus --

#4Betaine

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
Hair protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Betaine is used a lot in “organic” skincare products. It is a good moisturizer that not only hydrates the skin but also strengthens the cell membrane. This helps to lower the water loss over time. It also softens the skin and reduces irritation and redness. It’s often used at a 3-5% concentration depending on the product.

Position 5

#5Betaine

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
Hair protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Betaine is used a lot in “organic” skincare products. It is a good moisturizer that not only hydrates the skin but also strengthens the cell membrane. This helps to lower the water loss over time. It also softens the skin and reduces irritation and redness. It’s often used at a 3-5% concentration depending on the product.

-- versus --

#5Pentylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Solvent
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Pentylene Glycol is a great replacement for Propylene Glycol. It has very similar characteristics but it’s derived from plants (usually from corn). Natural cosmetics lovers will find this component very useful. It enhances the moisturizing effect of cosmetic products, improves the efficiency of preservatives and it’s an effective emulsifier. It’s approved by ECOCERT and COSMOS so it’s considered to be 100% safe and can be used in vegan products.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

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Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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