Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum Versus Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 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 oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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 Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 33 ingredients
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 11 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 33 ingredients
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 11 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits Not safe for Fungal Acne
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or pure Vitamin C.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
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.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
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.
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
Curcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
4 Benefits May cause irritation
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Antioxidant Helps brighten skin
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.
Ananas Sativus Fruit Juice comes from the pineapple fruit. Pineapples are native to South America.
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.
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid. This bacteria is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Water, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Juice, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid
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.
Antioxidant 6 Benefits
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Helps with Anti-Aging
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Ferulic Acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Fragrance Preservative 6 Concerns
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.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 33 ingredients
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 11 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum 33 ingredients
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 11 ingredients
DamDamfino
I've tried about 5 different Vitamin C serums, and this one is by far my favorite. I've purchased it 3 times. (I started using it back when it was...
I've tried about 5 different Vitamin C serums, and this one is by far my favorite. I've purchased it 3 times. (I started using it back when it was the dropper bottle)
My skin can tolerate higher Vit C percentages very well, so this feels like nothing on my skin. As if I was putting on water. I don't mind the ferulic acid smell (which is noticeably less now than it used to be!), because I think having it in the formula is more important than not.
Even in the new opaque pump top packaging, the product will still oxidize rather quickly - so don't be afraid to use it! Use it daily, use it on your neck, your chest, your arms. Use it up before it turns orange!
I see results when using this very fast. Stubborn cystic acne clears up within a week. Old red acne marks fade faster. Freckles and pigmentation lighten dramatically within a few weeks. And it prevents new acne. I really do see results and this is one of the quickest and friendliest products/ingredients to do that for me!
Downsides:
- it still oxidizes rather fast. So, like I said, use use use it up.
- I prefer the old dropper bottle packaging, I need about 2-3 pumps for my face, and another 2 for my neck/decolletage. I also do not like not being able to see how much product is inside.
- the formula in the newer packaging feels a little more ...watery than before? I can't help but feel like most of the product stays on my hands and doesn't get transferred adequately to my face.
- I had a bad cross reaction with this product and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% serum. I don't care what the internet says - I learned the hard way that Vit C and Niacinamide DO interact with each other. I now keep the Vit C for the morning and Niacinamide for the evening. But whew boy, that was painful.
Overall I really love the higher % of Vit C plus the Ferulic Acid combo, and this is the best serum I've tried that my skin likes, that I can see works, and is affordable.
AndrenaDurandoBalsells
I used this regularly before they rebranded since I read it was a great dupe for Skinceuticals but for some reason once I ran out I didn't rebuy it. I think it became more...
I used this regularly before they rebranded since I read it was a great dupe for Skinceuticals but for some reason once I ran out I didn't rebuy it. I think it became more expensive and though I liked it, I wanted to love it. I can't find a vitamin c serum since.
