Make p:rem Poncirus Trifoliata C Dark Spot Serum Versus Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Dextrin
AbsorbentBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Water, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Tromethamine, Sodium PCA, Arbutin, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Dextrin, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingAnanas Sativus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Juice, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Corallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract comes from the rhizome (underground stem) of the turmeric plant.
While the official EU Cosing Database lists this ingredient as a fragrance, it actually does more than give products a scent.
This ingredient contains a group of yellow pigments called curcuminoids (mostly curcumin) that give it genuine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in skin.
Reviews of topical clinical studies have found turmeric/curcumin to be generally well-tolerated and useful across conditions like eczema and mild inflammation.
One thing working in its favor is that curcumin barely penetrates; in lab skin-permeation testing, the curcuminoids mostly stayed in the outermost layer of skin. This is a good thing because its soothing and antioxidant activity is a surface-level job anyway.
At this time, industry data shows there's no single "correct" cosmetic percentage. It's used across a wide range depending on the product and varies from tiny fractions of a percent up to a few percent.
Allergy-wise, curcumin is a documented (but uncommon) contact allergen. It can also cross react with related plants, so anyone with a turmeric/ginger/cinnamon allergy or reactive skin should patch test first.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
This ingredient is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals and thus may reduce the signs of aging.
The high vitamin C content of Kakadu plum also helps lighten skin. Vitamin C has been shown to block the process of skin darkening that leads to hyperpigmentation.
Kakadu plums have been used by indigenous cultures as medicine to help treat colds and as an antiseptic.
Learn more about Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit ExtractWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
