Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating Versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum

ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating Versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Detailed comparison of ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum. This brightening serum is formul

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ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating Versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Detailed comparison of ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This hydrating serum is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to hydrate skin. Cyclopentasiloxane Dimethicone Crosspolymer Ascorbic Acid Dimethicone Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil Squalane Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Tocopheryl Acetate Ubiquinone Limonene Citral Phenoxyethanol Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Limonene, Citral, Phenoxyethanol Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Water Glycerin Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Cetearyl Olivate Sorbitan Olivate Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate Cetyl Alcohol Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate Stearic Acid Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Panthenol Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil Xanthan Gum Caprylyl Glycol Butylene Glycol Glycine Soja Sterols Linoleic Acid Phospholipids Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Squalene Propylene Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Glucosamine Hcl Hexylene Glycol Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate PEG-8 Pisum Sativum Extract Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract Tocopherol Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Disodium EDTA Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil Yeast Polysaccharides Sodium Hyaluronate Glyceryl Polymethacrylate Carbomer Eugenol Ascorbyl Palmitate Citric Acid Benzoic Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Sodium Lactate Polysorbate 20 Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract Taurine Corallina Officinalis Extract Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Centella Asiatica Extract Potassium Sorbate BHT Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Darutoside Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Arginine Leucine Lysine Sodium Benzoate Valine Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Panthenol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalene, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosamine Hcl, Hexylene Glycol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG-8, Pisum Sativum Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Polymethacry 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. Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane. What it does: Dimethicone comes in different viscosities: Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties. Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient. Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy. Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation. It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonen