Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on May 05, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
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
Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum 34 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum 34 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polyacrylamide
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Dimethicone, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Polyaspartate, Trehalose, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sucrose, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol
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 WaterButylene 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 GlycolXanthan 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 GumDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum 34 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum 34 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and pimples on my cheeks and nose. I highly doubt that my skin is purging since this serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle alternative to L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C isn’t supposed to make the skin purge. I’m assuming the breakouts were Show more
*This is a review for both Vitamin C Serums* This vitamin C serum for sensitive skin is a good product but didn’t have a good experience with the boosting vitamin C serum. Was applying the orange vitamin C serum for just 2-3 days straight and suddenly I started getting acne on my chin, forehead , which I never got acne on those places. Did not feel no irritation while applying the vitamin C , but Show more
