Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on June 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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Ingredient Info
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 16 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 16 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol Propionate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan 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
Butylene Glycol Propionate, 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 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
Emollient
Water, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water is a tonic and helps with masking.
Tonics are used to remove soap residues. They also help moisturize the skin.
Masking ingredients are used to obscure or block properties of other ingredients. They are commonly used to block the scent of a product.
Camellia Sinensis leaves contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTATromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 16 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
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