Versus

Beyer & Söhne Vitamin C Booster Versus Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum

Serum
Serum
German Brand Germany
American Brand United States

Updated on March 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C

Suited For

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

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What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

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.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant

Ergothioneine is an amino acid found naturally in mushrooms, grains, and meat. It has antioxidant and skin soothing properties.

This amino acid helps with:

  • Maintaining DNA stability and cell reproduction
  • Enhances cellular immunity
  • Skin brightening
  • Anti-aging
  • Skin soothing
Humectant, Masking, Moisturising

Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.

When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.

Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.

Learn more about Mannitol
Skin Conditioning

Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.

The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.

Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.

The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.

Learn more about Inulin

When to use

242 Routines
91% use in am
9% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beyer & Söhne Vitamin C Booster 16 ingredients

Vitamin C Booster hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 9 ratings
Great Value (6) Absorbs Well (5) Strong Scent (5)
brookefowler's avatar

Brooke Fowler

6 months ago
Review

When I first got into skincare years ago, I tried the extremely expensive ce ferulic everyone knows and, though I loved it and it made a big difference in my skin, I couldn’t justify the price for what ended up being half a bottle before it oxidized. All other vitamin c just irritated my skin so I gave up on it. I had a reoccurrence of my acne recently and remembered that this product had been a Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#strong scent
ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

7 months ago
Review

I really like this Vitamin C serum and have noticed an improvement in some of my dark spots. The serum is packaged in opaque glass to protect it from UV. I don't like the pump very much as the formula is very liquid and it shoots out fast - something to be aware of. It also has to go on first (before other serums) as things can pill on top of it. However, for the price and effectiveness, I'm Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#light scent