Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Hydrate + Plump Versus TruSkin Vitamin C Super Serum+

Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Hydrate + Plump Versus TruSkin Vitamin C Super Serum+

This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin.

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide

Glycerin

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Dimethyl Sulfone

Tocopheryl Acetate

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Pelargonium Graveolens Oil

Camellia Sinensis Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Taraxacum Officinale Extract

Geranium Maculatum Extract

Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose

Carrageenan

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin

Herbal Infusion

Ascorbic Acid

Rosa Canina Fruit Oil

Retinol

Squalane

Niacinamide

Arginine

Salicylic Acid

Essential Oils

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf

Carbomer

Phenoxyethanol

Herbal Infusion, Ascorbic Acid, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Dimethyl Sulfone, Retinol, Squalane, Niacinamide, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Essential Oils, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

We don't have a description for Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide yet.

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.

That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.

These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.

Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.

Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.

Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:

So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.

Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:

Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.

Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.

It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.

On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.

Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.

But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.

Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).

The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).

In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.

Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.

Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Dimethyl Sulfone is an organic compound that naturally contains sulfur. It is used as a solvent due to its stability. Solvents help mix and stabilize other ingredients.

Studies show taking Dimethyl Sulfone (also known as methylsulfonylmethane or MSM) orally may help reduce the depth of wrinkles. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns about this ingredient.

This botanical extract is also known as horsetail extract. It mainly acts as an emollient, skin soother, and astringent.

A study from 2023 found compounds in Equisetum Arvense showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in irritated keratinocytes (the main cell in your outermost layer of skin).

Another study using a cream with horsetail and soybean extract found 80% of participants showed at least a 26% improvement in forehead wrinkles after 8 weeks.

Animal research has shown topical Equisetum Arvense stimulated skin and tissue growth in mice.

The research so far is encouraging, but still in its early days. But it's a lovely supporting ingredient and can be a welcome addition to any routine.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The 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 to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

We don't have a description for Geranium Maculatum Extract yet.

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