Clinique Fresh Pressed Clinical™ Daily + Overnight Boosters with Pure Vitamin C 10% + A (Retinol) Versus Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
PEG-8
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingCholesterol
Emollient
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Algae Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Caffeine, Sucrose, Whey Protein, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Glycine Soja Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, PEG-8, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Glycine Soja Oil, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Methyl Gluceth-20, Retinol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Cholesterol, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Plankton Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Chloride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbic Acid, Laureth-23, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Ferulic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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 AcidCaprylyl 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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 Water
