Dr. Brandt Skincare Eye Cream Versus QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe eye moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones
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 Eye Cream 46 ingredients
QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum 40 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 Eye Cream 46 ingredients
QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Casein
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Cholesterol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Wine Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mineral Salts
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Casein, Phenethyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Wine Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Citric Acid, Rose Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sucrose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mineral Salts
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-48
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-20
CleansingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalane, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Caffeine, Pentapeptide-48, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-20, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ascorbic Acid, Pantolactone, Maltodextrin, Isopropyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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