Glow Lab Vitamin C Brightening Facial Serum Versus Essano Advanced Brightening Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
Updated on April 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, 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
Glow Lab Vitamin C Brightening Facial Serum 23 ingredients
Essano Advanced Brightening Vitamin C Concentrated Serum 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Glow Lab Vitamin C Brightening Facial Serum 23 ingredients
Essano Advanced Brightening Vitamin C Concentrated Serum 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Water, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Betaine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Laurate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilCoco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel. It may help solubilize other ingredients, or help other ingredients be dispersed evenly.
Coco-Caprylate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-CaprylateXanthan 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 GumSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
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