The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution Versus First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution Versus First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution versus First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Colloidal Oatmeal to brighten dull-looking skin and calm redness. No concerns Propanediol 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Water Squalane Sodium Citrate Tocopheryl Acetate Colloidal Oatmeal Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Glycerin Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate Xanthan Gum Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate Phenoxyethanol Citric Acid Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Sodium Hydroxide Tetrasodium EDTA Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare. Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks: In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen. The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective. A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model. Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums). Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.