Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum Versus NYX Cosmetics Plump Finish Setting Spray

Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum Versus NYX Cosmetics Plump Finish Setting Spray

This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Lactobacillus Ferment to strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propanediol

Pentylene Glycol

Glycerin

Phenethyl Alcohol

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate

Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate

Sodium Gluconate

Erythritol

Hydrolyzed Pea Protein

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Maltodextrin

Acacia Seyal Gum Extract

Lactobacillus Ferment

Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract

Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract

Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract

Glycine

Proline

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37

Potassium Sorbate

Citric Acid

Benzyl Alcohol

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Sodium Gluconate, Erythritol, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Glycine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate

Alcohol Denat.

Propylene Glycol

Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer

Pvp

Talc

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice

Steareth-20

Zinc Gluconate

Triethanolamine

Sodium Citrate

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Magnesium Aspartate

Disodium EDTA

Isopropyl Myristate

Isopropyl Palmitate

Copper Gluconate

Biotin

N-Hydroxysuccinimide

Chrysin

Phenoxyethanol

Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Chlorphenesin

Parfum

Limonene

Benzyl Salicylate

Water, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Talc, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Steareth-20, Zinc Gluconate, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Magnesium Aspartate, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Copper Gluconate, Citric Acid, Biotin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.

This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.

As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.

The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.

This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.

It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.

Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.

At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.

Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.

Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.

However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.

Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.

In skincare formulas, citric acid can:

While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.

Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

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

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

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

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

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.

Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.

In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.

Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:

Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.

Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.

You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

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