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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir versus Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque .

Published on June 19, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, niacinamide and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Wash Off Mask American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Price

Shop

Buy Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Starts at $85.00
Shop

Buy Sebum Clearing Masque

Starts at $54.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (4)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 2.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 27.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 5.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 16.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 18.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 31.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 23.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 34.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

We don't have a description for Zinc Gluconate.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 37.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 32.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 51.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 40.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir contains this as ingredient number 54.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque contains this as ingredient number 38.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

35% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
20% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients

Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque 45 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Oily (1)
Zora's avatar

Zora

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I used this product around two times per week for quite a long time in hope to have less oily skin. Unfortunately for me it didn't help controlling...

I used this product around two times per week for quite a long time in hope to have less oily skin. Unfortunately for me it didn't help controlling oil production. Also after I had washed it off I could tell it left a layer on my skin that I didn't enjoy the sensation of. Won't buy again.

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