Skin science article
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to hydrate skin. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Versus The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum
This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to hydrate skin.
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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Water
Glycerin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Limonene
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Glyceryl Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Dimethicone
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
Stearic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Panthenol
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Xanthan Gum
Caprylyl Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Glycine Soja Sterols
Linoleic Acid
Phospholipids
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Squalene
Propylene Glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Glucosamine Hcl
Hexylene Glycol
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
PEG-8
Pisum Sativum Extract
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
Tocopherol
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Disodium EDTA
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Yeast Polysaccharides
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Carbomer
Eugenol
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Citric Acid
Benzoic Acid
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Lactate
Polysorbate 20
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Taurine
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Potassium Sorbate
BHT
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Darutoside
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Arginine
Leucine
Lysine
Sodium Benzoate
Valine
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Panthenol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalene, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosamine Hcl, Hexylene Glycol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG-8, Pisum Sativum Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Carbomer, Eugenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Taurine, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Darutoside, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Sodium Benzoate, Valine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Ascorbic Acid 30%
Polysilicone-11
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid 30%, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.