ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Moisturiser Versus Aiken Vita-C Bright Moisturiser
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots 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
ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Moisturiser 78 ingredients
Aiken Vita-C Bright Moisturiser 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Moisturiser 78 ingredients
Aiken Vita-C Bright Moisturiser 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantPectin
Emulsion StabilisingInulin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Anhydroxylitol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glucose
HumectantAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAsparagus Officinalis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientOleic Acid
Emollient
Iron Oxides
Water, Coconut Alkanes, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Cetyl Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Pectin, Inulin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Anhydroxylitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Isostearyl Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Xylitol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glucose, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Linalool, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Sorbitol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Citronellol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citral, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oleic Acid, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Masking
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Carbomer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bisabolol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Mandelic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salicylic Acid, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 WaterThis 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 TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol 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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 HyaluronateXanthan 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 GumDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
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