Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum Versus Paula's Choice Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum
Updated on October 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum 21 ingredients
Paula's Choice Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum 21 ingredients
Paula's Choice Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Bellerica Fruit
AstringentCitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Terminalia Bellerica Fruit, Citrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Equol
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Daidzein
Skin ConditioningGenistein
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Squalane, Saccharide Isomerate, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Equol, Resveratrol, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Daidzein, Genistein, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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