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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum versus Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum .

Published on June 12, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Exfoliator American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy 10% Glycolic Serum

Starts at $13.95
Shop

Buy Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum

Starts at $12.95

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA (3)
BHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-12 Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

11
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.

As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.

Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.

Learn more about Hexylene Glycol

Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

63% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
58% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

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Our Dupe Finder has found 19 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Anti Aging Serum.

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