Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum Versus Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum
Updated on January 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum 11 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
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum 11 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Sodium Sulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum 11 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Serum 11 ingredients
Would recommend
