The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum Versus Naturium Vitamin C Complex 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 Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbic Acid 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

Water

Glycerin

Propanediol

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Ascorbic Acid

Glutathione

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract

Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract

Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract

Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Sodium Hyaluronate

Carbomer

Tocopheryl Acetate

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Citric Acid

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Sodium Hydroxide

Beta-Glucan

Potassium Sorbate

Hexylene Glycol

Sorbitol

Xanthan Gum

Algin

Benzoic Acid

Sorbic Acid

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium Benzoate

Disodium Phosphate

Gold

Polysorbate 60

Sodium Phosphate

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Phosphate, Gold, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate

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.

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:

Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.

One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.

While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.

The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.

Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.

Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Similar Comparisons