Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum Versus Vanicream Vitamin C Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Vanicream Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Vanicream Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
PCA
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
HumectantLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Pinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Stearate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Proline, Betaine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Glycosphingolipids, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, C9-12 Alkane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hyaluronic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Ascorbate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diisooctyl Succinate
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Diisooctyl Succinate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Carnosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide As, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
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 WaterCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Vanicream Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Herbivore Green Magic Cica + Ceramides Redness-Reducing Serum 58 ingredients
Vanicream Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Not for sensitive skin
Too gentle? No sensitivity issues with it, but not sure there's any power here. Maybe a good starter to train for heavier hitters.
