BeautyAct 20% Vita-C Brightening Serum Versus Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and 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 parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
BeautyAct 20% Vita-C Brightening Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
BeautyAct 20% Vita-C Brightening Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Trehalose
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Agar
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Rosinate
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Lauryl Laurate, Glyceryl Behenate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Trehalose, Isohexadecane, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Agar, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Glyceryl Rosinate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 GlycerinTocopherol (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 TocopherolXanthan 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 GumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
BeautyAct 20% Vita-C Brightening Serum 20 ingredients
Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Serum 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
BeautyAct 20% Vita-C Brightening Serum 20 ingredients
The best vitamin c derivative! Instant glow and no irritation
