Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra™ Advanced Gel-Serum

Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra™ Advanced Gel-Serum Detailed comparison of Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum versus Medik8 C-Tetra™ Advanced Gel-Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Acetyl Glucosamine to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. No concerns Ethoxydiglycol 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Dimethyl Isosorbide Isodecyl Neopentanoate Glutathione Superoxide Dismutase Ethylhexylglycerin Caprylyl Glycol Phenoxyethanol Ethoxydiglycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glutathione, Superoxide Dismutase, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol Water Isododecane Propanediol Acetyl Glucosamine Squalane Tocopherol Acetyl Zingerone Camellia Sinensis Leaf Hydroxyacetophenone Sodium Hyaluronate Cellulose Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Glycerin Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Citrus Grandis Peel Oil Sucrose Stearate Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Xanthan Gum Sodium Benzoate Cellulose Gum 1,2-Hexanediol Polysorbate 60 Sorbitan Isostearate Citric Acid Citral Linalool Limonene Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Isododecane, Propanediol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Squalane, Tocopherol, Acetyl Zingerone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cellulose, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Sucrose Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Cellulose Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. 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. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C. THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!). Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface. Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun. Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin. A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oil