Boots Vitamin C Brightening Booster Serum Versus Armani Beauty Crema Nera Reviscentalis Meta Concentrate
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantAgar
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAlgin
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Chloride
Arginine
MaskingSerine
MaskingRhamnose
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Linalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSodium Lactate
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Potassium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Agar, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Algin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Chloride, Arginine, Serine, Rhamnose, Magnesium Sulfate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Lactate, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 19140, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, CI 61570, CI 61565, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Laurate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ceramide NP, CI 17200, CI 40800, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C.
This ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
It helps with dark spot fading by interfering with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. Like other forms of vitamin C, this ingredient encourages the skin to create more collagen.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when combined with acetyl zingerone.
Learn more about Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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. Remember to 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 Gum