Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum Versus Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
Updated on August 22, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, PHA, 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum 36 ingredients
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum 36 ingredients
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPhloretin
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
Abrasive
Lecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Phloretin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Gluconolactone, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Laureth-23
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbic Acid, Laureth-23, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Ferulic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Marula plant. In South Africa, Marula is called "an elephant's favorite treat".
Marula seed oil is a non-fragrant oil. It is rich in fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and more. These fatty acids help hydrate the skin.
Other components of marula seed oil include vitamin E and antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilSodium 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 HyaluronateGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It helps hydrate the skin and is rich in antioxidants.
The antioxidants in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Other contents of chondrus crispus include polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acids. These help hydrate the skin.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed? Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Learn more about Chondrus Crispus ExtractIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum 36 ingredients
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum 36 ingredients
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum 33 ingredients
Drunk Elephant Vit C serum is a decent alternative to Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, as it is about half as expensive (DE ~$3.71/ml, Skinceuticals ~$6.93/ml). However, I do find that the consistency is a bit tacky and difficult to spread around. The product smells pretty strongly of hot dogs, but you do get used to this. On the plus side, I appreciate that the serum uses Ascorbic Acid (rather than a Show more
Made my skin peel very harsh
