Skin science article
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Ac
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Polysorbate 20
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Benzyl Alcohol
Allantoin
Xanthan Gum
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Sodium Citrate
Limonene
Dipropylene Glycol
Linalool
T-Butyl Alcohol
Parfum
Citric Acid
Denatonium Benzoate
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Linalool, T-Butyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Denatonium Benzoate
Ascorbic Acid
Propanediol
Glycerin
Ethoxydiglycol
Sodium Hydroxide
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Bisabolol
Ferulic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Decylene Glycol
Tocopherol
1,2-Hexanediol
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Decylene Glycol, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
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!