Instytutum Anti-Wrinkle Brightening C-Erum Versus IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
Updated on March 22, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Instytutum Anti-Wrinkle Brightening C-Erum 38 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum 79 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Instytutum Anti-Wrinkle Brightening C-Erum 38 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum 79 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid 15%
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide 3%
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose Polystearate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tridecane
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide-5, Oleanolic Acid, Squalane, Ascorbic Acid 15%, Tocopherol, Niacinamide 3%, Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose Polystearate, Undecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Tridecane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLimonene
Perfuming
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
PEG-8
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Yeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEugenol
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Valine
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Panthenol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalene, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosamine Hcl, Hexylene Glycol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG-8, Pisum Sativum Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Carbomer, Eugenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Taurine, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Darutoside, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Sodium Benzoate, Valine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidTocopherol (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.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
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 GumCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateAscorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Instytutum Anti-Wrinkle Brightening C-Erum 38 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum 79 ingredients
