Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum Versus Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum

Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum Versus Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum versus Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. No concerns Water Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Dimethicone Glycerin C9-12 Alkane Ascorbyl Glucoside Silica Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Xanthan Gum Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Cetyl Alcohol Caprylyl Glycol Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate Coco-Caprylate/Caprate Tocopherol Glutathione Sodium Citrate Sodium Phytate Hexylene Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Urea Mannitol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Sodium PCA Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Polysorbate 60 Sorbitan Isostearate Trehalose Ascorbic Acid Glucose Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Polyquaternium-51 Ergothioneine Triacetin Sodium Hyaluronate Phenoxyethanol Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Silica, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tocopherol, Glutathione, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Urea, Mannitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trehalose, Ascorbic Acid, Glucose, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Ergothioneine, Triacetin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol Dimethyl Isosorbide Butylene Glycol PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin Ferulic Acid Sodium Hydroxide Water, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide 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. 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 f