Versus

Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum Versus Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand
American Brand

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 5 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

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

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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C9-12 Alkane

Solvent

Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract

Astringent

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Tranexamic Acid

Astringent
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Emulsion Stabilising

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Vitamin C IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Psidium Guajava Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ferulic Acid

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract

Astringent

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Betaine

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

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Phytate

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing

Lauryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

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

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative 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

1,2-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 
Skin Conditioning

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 Acid
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This 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 Triglyceride
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol
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

When to use

29 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
169 Routines
76% use in am
24% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

5.00
Overall rating
5
4
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1
What people say
Absorbs Well 100% Great Value 100% Light 100%
4.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Works Well 100% Expensive 67% Absorbs Well 33%