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The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This calming serum is formulated around Hippophae Rhamnoides Fru

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

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

This calming serum is formulated around Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract and Niacinamide to calm redness and brighten dull-looking skin.

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

Water

Glycerin

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract

1,2-Hexanediol

Niacinamide

Butylene Glycol

Propolis Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycosyl Trehalose

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate

Dipropylene Glycol

Centella Asiatica Extract

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Saccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract

Punica Granatum Fruit Extract

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Morus Alba Fruit Extract

Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Carbomer

Arginine

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Allantoin

Adenosine

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Water, Glycerin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Reviews

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The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

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

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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. 08Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
  9. 09Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
  10. 10It plays several roles in a formula:
  11. 11Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
  12. 12Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
  13. 13However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
  14. 14Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
  15. 15Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
  16. 16Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
  17. 17This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
  18. 18A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
  19. 19Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  20. 20Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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Product index

Related product references

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The Inkey List Symbright Moisturizer

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Comparison edit

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