Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum Versus Dr. Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum
Updated on September 04, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Dr. Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Dr. Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Zinc PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool
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:
- 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.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
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.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
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
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 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
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Dr. Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 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
