Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer
Updated on July 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
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 harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and silicones
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
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 21 ingredients
Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer 67 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 21 ingredients
Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer 67 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningAcrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer
Polysilicone-11
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Isobutane
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Limonene, Isobutane, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citral, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTrametes Versicolor Extract
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Prunus Domestica
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientArginine
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Glycerin, Sucrose, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Arginine, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sodium Rna, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideWe don't have a description for Polysilicone-11 yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 21 ingredients
Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer 67 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 21 ingredients
Actually noticed a difference in my fine lines with this product. The bottle also lasted me over a year with almost daily use.
