ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on April 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule 46 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 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
ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule 46 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventSodium Phytate
Hydrolyzed Algin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhysalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tromethamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Water, Caffeine, Benzyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Xanthan Gum, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Carbomer, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Adenosine
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about Niacinamide1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethaminePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule 46 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
ma:nyo Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule 46 ingredients
I'm in my late 20s and bought this for anti-aging because it's supposed to help with elasticity. But it's too sticky for my liking. It doesn’t irritate my skin and keeps it hydrated, so I’d recommend it for people with dry skin. Elasticity improvement isn’t something you see immediately, and my skin hasn’t lost much elasticity yet. I’m just using it for slow aging, but honestly, I don’t reach for Show more
WRP! I loved this serum. It was hydrating and sunk in well to my skin. My skin felt more plump and supple.
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and pimples on my cheeks and nose. I highly doubt that my skin is purging since this serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle alternative to L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C isn’t supposed to make the skin purge. I’m assuming the breakouts were Show more
*This is a review for both Vitamin C Serums* This vitamin C serum for sensitive skin is a good product but didn’t have a good experience with the boosting vitamin C serum. Was applying the orange vitamin C serum for just 2-3 days straight and suddenly I started getting acne on my chin, forehead , which I never got acne on those places. Did not feel no irritation while applying the vitamin C , but Show more
