CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on May 05, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ 68 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
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ 68 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Menadione
MaskingGlutathione
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Phenethyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Linoleic Acid, Retinol, Menadione, Glutathione, Bioflavonoids, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about Niacinamide1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Xanthan 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
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ 68 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++ 68 ingredients
Burns, fragrances, eyes red, made my skin sting. Worst sunscreen
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
