Works for
MoisturizingUrea, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
“Hydrating Serum”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Anti-agingLaminaria digitata extractNot delivered
“Key ingredients , Laminaria Algae delivers an instant and long-lasting burst of moisture to the skin , Cucumber Extract boosts elasticity and helps prevent wrinkles. Bio active ingredients Vegan friendly.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Cucumis sativus extract~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Algae~6–9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium pca~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaUrea~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaWater~2.1–3.1%
Butylene glycol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAcetamide mea~1.3–1.9%
Almond oil peg-8 esters~1.2–1.7%
Polysorbate 20~0.9–1.3%
Glycerin~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium pca~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaUrea~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaBenzyl alcohol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSorbitol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolTrehalose~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseDisodium edta~0.2–0.7%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Laminaria digitata extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
More about Laminaria digitata extractPolyquaternium-51~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
More about Polyquaternium-51Lecithin~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateParfum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Limonene~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolGeraniol~0.1–0.5%
Diatomaceous earth~0.3–0.75%
Linalool~0.1–0.45%
Citric acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractGlyceryl caprylate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateIngredient list view
Cucumis sativus extract, Unknown, Algae, Glycerin, Sodium pca, Urea, Water, Butylene glycol, Acetamide mea, Almond oil peg-8 esters, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium pca, Urea, Benzyl alcohol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Disodium edta, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laminaria digitata extract, Polyquaternium-51, Lecithin, Sodium hyaluronate, Parfum, Dehydroacetic acid, Limonene, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Geraniol, Diatomaceous earth, Linalool, Citric acid, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Glyceryl caprylate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ARK SkincareHydrating SerumYOUR PRODUCT | SkinMedicaGlyPro Antioxidant Serum | The OrdinaryBuffet + Copper Peptides 1% | Peter Thomas RothWater Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 66% | 66% |
| Price | — | — | $28.90 | $53.79 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Saccharide Isomerate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: G.M. Collin HYDRAMUCINE OPTIMAL SERUMendota spa Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum
Product summary
"ARK Skincare - Hydrating Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.15% - 0.65%, trehalose 0.20% - 0.75%, urea 0.30% - 0.75%, sodium pca 0.35% - 0.80%, glycerin 0.55% - 1.25%, urea 2.70% - 4.10%, sodium pca 3.50% - 5.30% and glycerin 4.80% - 7.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 45.00$ in the United States and from 13.50£ up to 45.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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