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The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum

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

This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycolic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Dimethicone

Ascorbic Acid 30%

Polysilicone-11

PEG-10 Dimethicone

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

Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract

Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract

Hippophae Rhamnoides Water

Butylene Glycol

Niacinamide

1,2-Hexanediol

Glycolic Acid

Betaine

Sodium Hydroxide

Water

Panthenol

Allantoin

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Glycerin

Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Adenosine

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Betaine Salicylate

Alpha-Arbutin

Menthyl Lactate

Mentha Haplocalix Extract

Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Water, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Alpha-Arbutin, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract

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Ingredients, questions
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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. 08Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
  9. 09The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure …
  10. 10Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
  11. 11Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
  12. 12And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
  13. 13You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
  14. 14In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
  15. 15If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
  16. 16When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
  17. 17When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
  18. 18In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
  19. 19Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger l…
  20. 20Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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