Cell Fusion C Toning C Dark Spot Serum Versus Melano CC Vitamin C Men Anti-Blemish Concentration Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This acne serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinic Acid
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Allantoin, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ferulic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Fullerenes, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Geraniol
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Pyrosulfate
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
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 AcidButylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
