Superdrug Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Superdrug Me+ Acacia Collagen Booster Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

This hydrating serum is formulated around Allantoin to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

No key ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Propylene Glycol

Glycerin

Polysorbate 20

Phenoxyethanol

Acacia Seyal Gum Extract

Carbomer

Allantoin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Carbomer, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide

Adapalene 0.1%

Disodium EDTA

Methylparaben

Poloxamer 182

Adapalene 0.1%, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.

Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.

It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.

Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.

A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.

Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.

As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.

The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.

True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).

It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.

Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.

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.

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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