Dr. Brandt Skincare C Scription™ Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20%
Updated on August 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens 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
Dr. Brandt Skincare C Scription™ Vitamin C Brightening Serum 38 ingredients
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% 30 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. Brandt Skincare C Scription™ Vitamin C Brightening Serum 38 ingredients
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Chlorogenic Acids
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, C9-12 Alkane, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Propanediol, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexylresorcinol, Ethyl Linoleate, Plankton Extract, Bioflavonoids, Glucose, Lecithin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Linalyl Acetate, Chlorogenic Acids, Sodium Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ferulic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Parfum, Citral, 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.
Disodium 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 EDTALimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 AscorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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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