Skin science article
The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus REVOX B77 Just Vitamin C 20%
The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus REVOX B77 Just Vitamin C 20% This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Ac
The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus REVOX B77 Just Vitamin C 20%
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside 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
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Sodium Hydroxide
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Phenoxyethanol
Benzyl Alcohol
Butylene Glycol
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium Metabisulfite
Dehydroacetic Acid
Phytic Acid
Oligopeptide-1
Water, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phytic Acid, Oligopeptide-1
Ascorbic Acid
Potassium Hydroxide
Propylene Glycol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
Disodium EDTA
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
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.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
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!
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.