Versus

Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum Versus Dermalogica Circular Hydrating Serum

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Circular Hydrating Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

PEG-8

Humectant

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

Propanediol

Solvent

PPG-24-Glycereth-24

Emulsifying

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Skin Conditioning

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Santalum Album Oil

Masking
Oil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Skin Protecting

Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Gigartina Stellata Extract

Skin Protecting

Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil

Skin Conditioning
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Cupressus Sempervirens Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract

Masking

Juniperus Virginiana Oil

Masking
Oil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Masking

Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Rosa Damascena Flower

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Skin Conditioning

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant

Xylitol

Humectant

Polyglutamic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Lysine Hcl

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Sclerotium Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

PCA

Humectant

Glucose

Humectant

Serine

Masking

Alanine

Masking

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Silanetriol

Pantolactone

Humectant

Glutamic Acid

Humectant

Threonine

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Amylopectin

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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

We don't have a description for Amylopectin yet.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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 Gum
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.

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
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Perfuming, Solvent

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Limonene
Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

When to use

56 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
47 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
77% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum 32 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (2) Drying (1) Expensive (1)
michelle_mabelle's avatar

Michelle MaBelle

7 months ago
Review

TL;DR: Pricy. Drying. Helps unclog my clogged pores. Works, but probably could get something just as effective elsewhere.

Picked this up on a whim at Ulta because it had such good reviews. I will say it works well in decongesting my skin, but I can't use it daily unless I keep it far away from my undereyes, nonetheless twice a day like it recommends. It is very drying and can sting on broken Show more

#expensive
#drying
#irritating
#strong scent
jessicaleung's avatar

Jessica Leung

4 months ago
Review

Cleared up my skin nearly instantly, if I have any spots and use this, overnight I’m pretty much spot free. Highly recommend to anyone struggling with acne or breakouts

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#works well

Dermalogica Circular Hydrating Serum 70 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Etai's avatar

Etai

1 year ago
Review

The hydration change is instant