Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum Versus Mary Kay TimeWise Replenishing Serum+C®
Updated on March 26, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, 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 oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols 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
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Mary Kay TimeWise Replenishing Serum+C® 36 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Mary Kay TimeWise Replenishing Serum+C® 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicCholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Algae Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
PEG-8
HumectantSucrose
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingOleth-10
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trisiloxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Trehalose, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ng, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Algae Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Caffeine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, PEG-8, Sucrose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Oleth-10, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Silica, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG-32
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Ascorbic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Vegetable Amino Acids, Isomalt, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Synthetic Beeswax, Alcohol Denat., PEG-32, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tin Oxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
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:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinMica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.
Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
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. 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Mary Kay TimeWise Replenishing Serum+C® 36 ingredients
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