Versus

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum Versus Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 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 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycereth-26

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Sucrose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Moisturising

Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica

Skin Conditioning

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Oryzanol

Skin Conditioning

Resveratrol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane

Emollient

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

PEG-75

Humectant

Oleth-3 Phosphate

2 / 2

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Oleth-3

Emulsifying
5 / 2

Sodium Polyaspartate

Humectant

Oleth-5

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Propylene Glycol Caprylate

Skin Conditioning

Dextrin

Absorbent

Yeast Extract

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Choleth-24

Emulsifying
0 / 0

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Ceteth-24

Cleansing

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer

Humectant

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Disodium EDTA

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Dimethicone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Antioxidant

Ascorbyl 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 Glucoside

When to use

118 Routines
77% use in am
23% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
19 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
95% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum 21 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
pez_globito's avatar

pez_globito

8 months ago
Review

Actually noticed a difference in my fine lines with this product. The bottle also lasted me over a year with almost daily use.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients

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