Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Boost Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum

Boost Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulate

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Boost Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum

This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Niacinamide

Glycerin

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate

Propylene Glycol

Saccharide Isomerate

Tocopherol

Bisabolol

Xanthan Gum

Vegetable Oil

Disodium EDTA

Citric Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Thiosulfate

Sodium Citrate

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Vegetable Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Thiosulfate, Sodium Citrate

Dimethicone

Ascorbic Acid 30%

Polysilicone-11

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid 30%, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone

Reviews

Be the first to review

Alternatives

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Carbomer 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.
  4. 04Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
  5. 05It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
  6. 06Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
  7. 07A 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.
  8. 08Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
  9. 09You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
  10. 10The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
  11. 11Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
  12. 12Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
  13. 13It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
  14. 14EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
  15. 15What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
  16. 16Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
  17. 17Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
  18. 18In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
  19. 19You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
  20. 20Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

The Inkey List Phytic Acid Serum

The Inkey List Phytic Acid Serum The Inkey List Phytic Acid Serum ingredients explained: Water (Aqua/Eau), Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydrox…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →

Product

The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask

The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask The Inkey List Madecassoside Mask ingredients explained: Aqua (Water/Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, …

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

Continue reading

Related articles