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Skin science article

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C 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 Tetrahexyldecyl Asco

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C 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 Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

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

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclohexasiloxane

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Citrus Grandis Peel Oil

Tocopheryl Acetate

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Limonene

Citral

Linalool

Geraniol

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol

Reviews

Alternatives

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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. 03Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
  4. 04What makes it special?
  5. 05OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
  6. 06Here's what each tier does best:
  7. 07Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
  8. 08Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
  9. 09Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
  10. 10The 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 …
  11. 11Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
  12. 12Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
  13. 13It 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.
  14. 14On 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.
  15. 15Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
  16. 16You'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.
  17. 17Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
  18. 18Safety-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.
  19. 19Adverse 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.
  20. 20Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser

The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser ingredients explained: Aqua (Water), Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl A…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

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