Viva Cosmetics Vit C Collagen Serum Versus Viva Cosmetics Peeling Serum With Triple Gentle Exfoliation

Viva Cosmetics Vit C Collagen Serum Versus Viva Cosmetics Peeling Serum With Triple Gentle Exfoliation

This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Niacinamide

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Butylene Glycol

Propanediol

Phenoxyethanol

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Cellulose Gum

Disodium EDTA

Ethylhexylglycerin

Triethylene Glycol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract

Water, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Cellulose Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract

Gluconolactone

Glycolic Acid

Pentylene Glycol

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Betaine

Sodium Citrate

Salicylic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Allantoin

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters

Xanthan Gum

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

CI 14720

CI 42090

CI 19140

Water, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triethylene Glycol, CI 14720, CI 42090, CI 19140

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It 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.

On 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.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'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.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-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.

Adverse 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.

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.

It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.

One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.

This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.

Triethylene Glycol is a fragrance.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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