Soothing & Barrier Support Serum INCI List & Ingredients | The Ordinary

Allergen & irritant analysis

3 flagged

This serum from The Ordinary lists 45 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 2 known contact allergens and 1 common irritant in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.

2 known allergens in this formula

1 known irritant

Benzyl alcohol · preservative · mediumKnown allergen (preservative): Benzyl Alcohol
Phenoxyethanol · irritant · mediumKnown allergen (irritant): Phenoxyethanol
Sodium hydroxide · otherStrong alkaline substance that can be highly corrosive and irritating in high concentrations; used safely in cosmetics only in neutralized, low concentrations for pH adjustment.

Not detected: added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates.

Based on what's flagged, take extra care if you're among:

People sensitised to preservatives (e.g. MI/MCI or formaldehyde releasers)

How common are allergens in serums? See our data on the whole category →

Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.

Benefits

HydratingReduces irritationRedness reducingBarrier repairScar healingAnti-agingDark spotsAcne fightingBrighteningGood for oily skinReduces large pores

Key Ingredients

1
AntioxidantsShields skin from free radical damage.
2
Vitamin EProtects skin and soothes irritation.
3
NiacinamideStrengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.

Full Ingredient List

45

INCI (full list, INCI order): water, propanediol, isodecyl neopentanoate, pentylene glycol, niacinamide, hexyldecanol, cetearyl alcohol, xylitylglucoside, ceteth-20 phosphate, anhydroxylitol, ethyl linoleate, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, naringenin, cyanocobalamin, panthenyl triacetate, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide, bisabolol, brassica campestris sterols, sphingolipids, phospholipids, epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, gallyl glucoside, propyl gallate, xylitol, zingiber officinale root extract, stearic acid, dicetyl phosphate, isoceteth-20, xanthan gum, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, tocopherol, dehydroacetic acid, p-anisic acid, phytic acid, sodium phytate, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, benzyl alcohol, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin

Tap any ingredient to see details

Potential Concerns

May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
May Worsen IrritationMay cause stinging, redness, or sensitivity.
May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
May Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.
May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.

Frequently asked questions

Is Soothing & Barrier Support Serum fragrance-free?

No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Soothing & Barrier Support Serum's listed ingredients. "Not detected" isn't an absolute guarantee, but it's a good sign for fragrance-sensitive skin — confirm against the current pack and your own triggers.

Is Soothing & Barrier Support Serum paraben-free?

No parabens were detected in Soothing & Barrier Support Serum's listed ingredients. Worth keeping in perspective: parabens are among the least common cosmetic allergens, so "paraben-free" matters far less for reactive skin than avoiding fragrance or the preservative MI/MCI.

Is Soothing & Barrier Support Serum suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?

It depends on your specific triggers. Soothing & Barrier Support Serum contains 2 flagged allergens and 1 irritant (listed in the analysis above). If none are on your personal allergen list it may suit you, but patch test first — add your allergens to AllerNote to check Soothing & Barrier Support Serum against your own profile.