Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus Transparent Lab Super C Serum

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus Transparent Lab Super C Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum versus Transparent Lab Super C Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten d

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The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum Versus Transparent Lab Super C Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum versus Transparent Lab Super C Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside and Hyaluronic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. No concerns Water Ascorbyl Glucoside Sodium Hydroxide PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Phenoxyethanol Benzyl Alcohol Butylene Glycol Xanthan Gum Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium Metabisulfite Dehydroacetic Acid Phytic Acid Oligopeptide-1 Water, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phytic Acid, Oligopeptide-1 Propanediol Glycerin Hyaluronic Acid Ellagic Acid Sodium Hyaluronate Mannitol Phosphatidylcholine Cholesterol Dehydroxanthan Gum Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine Decyl Glucoside Sodium Phytate Sodium Chloride Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Triethanolamine Tocopherol Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Ellagic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Tocopherol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there. It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize. Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause. The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate. These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period. A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days. And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo. There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too. Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%. AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5). Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble. 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 Phenoxyeth