Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir Versus Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and 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 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Quartz Powder
Abrasive
Amethyst Powder
Abrasive
Ruby Powder
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSaussurea Involucrata Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Propanediol
SolventBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Plumeria Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Triheptanoin, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Silica, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Quartz Powder, Amethyst Powder, Ruby Powder, Gold, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Saussurea Involucrata Callus Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Benzoate, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper Gluconate, Hydrated Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral
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 WaterPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCaprylyl 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 GlycolAscorbic 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
It looks nice but I haven’t noticed many results.
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 12 ingredients
This says it's fungal acne safe but on the website the ingredients says it has castor oil extract or something in here, personally I avoid anything with castor oil so beware.
Its been a few years, but from what I remember, I got this as a "only affordable option available at the store" when I ran out of Vit C serum and needed more - and I did not like this.
Felt like a waste of money. It didn't really do anything, I didn't see my usual results.
It also, oddly, did not oxidize...for like more than a year, as long as it took me to finish the bottle. That's weird to Show more
