IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum Versus Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

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Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum versus Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum .

Published on January 23, 2021

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 Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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.

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IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

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

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Buy Iluma Intense Brightening Serum

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Buy C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

Starts at $78.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum 35 ingredients

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum 47 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

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum 35 ingredients

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum 47 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (2)

Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (6)

Reduces Irritation (3)

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (3)

Dark Spots (6)

Scar Healing (3)

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)

Redness Reducing (3)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging (4)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum 35 ingredients

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum 47 ingredients

Water • Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Algae Extract • Muscle Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract • Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer • Hexylresorcinol • Arbutin • Azelaic Acid • Sucrose Palmitate • Pueraria Tuberosa Leaf Cell Extract • Chlorella Vulgaris Extract • Corallina Officinalis Extract • Morus Alba Leaf Extract • Centella Asiatica Extract • Echinacea Purpurea Extract • Rumex Occidentalis Extract • Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract • Salix Nigra Bark Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Xanthan Gum • Polysorbate 20 • Potassium Sorbate • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citric Acid • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Water • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Ascorbic Acid • Laureth-23 • Glycerin • Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract • Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract • Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Tocopherol • Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Hydrolyzed Quinoa • Phytosterols • Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole • Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein • Ferulic Acid • Acetyl Glucosamine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane • Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane • Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane • Glycine • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Sucrose • Maltodextrin • Chondrus Crispus Extract • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Isohexadecane • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • Caprylyl Glycol • Sorbitan Isostearate • Propanediol • Pentylene Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Butylene Glycol • Sodium Hydroxide • Chlorphenesin • Polysorbate 60 • Sodium Dehydroacetate • Potassium Sorbate • Sorbic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin

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.

Water

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

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

What it does: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic

Community Rating: Loved

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract.

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing

Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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 Gum

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 45.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

IMAGE skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 47.

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