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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum versus Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum .

Last updated on March 12, 2024. Published on February 17, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 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, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Brand
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum

Starts at $65.00
Shop

Buy Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum

Starts at $45.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (5)
Vitamin E (2)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (5)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (6)
Scar Healing (4)
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

3
What it does: Solvent

C9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.

In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

5
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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 Propanediol

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.

Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric 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/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.

Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium 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.

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Corallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.

Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.

Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.

Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.

Learn more about Corallina Officinalis Extract

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

12
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 45.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

45% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
18% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet
53% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 33 ingredients

Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 6 ratings
Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Light (1) Light Scent (1)
Butter's avatar

Butter

4 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Good but expensive. I got this as a "free gift" during a promotion and probably wouldn't have tried it without the promotion. It's definitely...

Good but expensive. I got this as a "free gift" during a promotion and probably wouldn't have tried it without the promotion. It's definitely effective at brightening and making my skin tone more even. Nice texture, not sticky and sinks in well. Although I seen good results I won't purchase as it's extremely expensive and there's cheaper alternatives.

Daniel.Chin's avatar

Daniel.Chin

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Full of amazing ingredients; has totally reduced the need for me to cocktail and upset my ph balance.

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