Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum versus Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum .
Last updated on September 18, 2023. Published on January 04, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, exfoliants and PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Palmaria Palmata Extract • Lactic Acid • Water • Pentylene Glycol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Olivate • Squalane • Silybum Marianum Seed Oil • Glycerin • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Sodium Hydroxide • Gluconolactone • Bellis Perennis Flower/Helichrysum Italicum Extract • Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract • Algae Extract • Gigartina Stellata Extract • Chondrus Crispus Extract • Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Salicornia Herbacea Extract • Limonium Gerberi Extract • Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil • Oenothera Biennis Oil • Borago Officinalis Seed Oil • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Sclerotium Gum • Xanthan Gum • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • Sodium Phytate • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid
Water • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Propanediol • Glycerin • Pentylene Glycol • Sodium Citrate • Squalane • Triethyl Citrate • Gluconolactone • Citric Acid • Polyhydroxystearic Acid • Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Hyaluronate • Caffeine • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Sodium Benzoate • Lauroyl Lysine • Passiflora Edulis Peel Extract • Sclerotium Gum • Lecithin • Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract • Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract • Pullulan • Mannitol • Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract • Zingiber Officinale Root Oil • Calcium Gluconate • Silica • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol • Ergothioneine
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 GlycerinMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs have a larger structure than AHAs and BHAs and are more gentle. It is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This helps improve texture and brightens the skin.
Gluconolactone is a humectant and helps draw moisture to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
PHAs also exhibit antioxidant activity by neutralizing free-radical molecules. This can help with anti-aging.
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells. However, we still recommend wearing SPF especially after using exfoliating ingredients.
Learn more about GluconolactoneMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Xanthan 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 GumMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
sarahabma
Most effective vitamin C
This is the product I let myself splurge on because I haven't found anything that compares so far. This is so fast-acting...
Most effective vitamin C
This is the product I let myself splurge on because I haven't found anything that compares so far. This is so fast-acting for lightening my dark spots/acne scars. I use one pump on the whole face, once a day in the AM so the bottle tends to last me about 3 months. Highly, highly recommend for dark spots!
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