Apolosophy Active+ Vitamin C Serum Versus L300 Face Serum Vitamin C
Updated on March 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Apolosophy Active+ Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
L300 Face Serum Vitamin C 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Apolosophy Active+ Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
L300 Face Serum Vitamin C 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantSorbitol
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientUrea
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Inositol
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Fructose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Anhydroxylitol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Urea, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Inositol, Glycine, Fructose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAXanthan 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 GumSodium 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 HydroxideCitric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Apolosophy Active+ Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
L300 Face Serum Vitamin C 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Apolosophy Active+ Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
The best vitamin C product I've tried. It does really brighten up the face after using it for some time. It's FA safe and doesn't clog my pores. The price is very good too. Love the glass bottle.
