Versus

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C Versus Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++

Day Moisturizer

British Brand United Kingdom

American Brand United States

Updated on October 25, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free day moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, 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.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C 33 ingredients

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ 50 ingredients

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C 33 ingredients

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ 50 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Daily Radiance Vitamin C

Water

Skin Conditioning

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

Dibutyl Adipate

Dimethicone

Ethylhexyl Triazone

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient

2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycerin

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Cetearyl Glucoside

Tocopheryl Acetate

Hydroxyacetophenone

Disodium EDTA

Benzoic Acid

Masking

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Citrus Grandis Peel Oil

Sodium Hydroxide

Dehydroacetic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Masking

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Ethylhexylglycerin

Limonene

Citronellol

Linalool

Geraniol

Citral

Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

UV Absorber

Homosalate 6.5%

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%

UV Absorber

0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%

UV Absorber

0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter Icon

Benzophenone-3 2%

UV Absorber

0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant

1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Stearic Acid

Cleansing

2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Diisopropyl Sebacate

Cocoglycerides

Lauryl Lactate

Glyceryl Stearate

1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isodecyl Neopentanoate

Dimethicone

Cetyl Alcohol

2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetyl Phosphate

Urea

Yeast Amino Acids

Trehalose

Inositol

Taurine

Betaine

Phospholipids

Retinyl Palmitate

1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract

Skin Protecting

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Antimicrobial

Passiflora Incarnata Extract

Astringent

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant

Sodium PCA

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract

Skin Protecting

Zinc Gluconate

Skin Conditioning

Ethyl Linoleate

Emollient

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

Xanthan Gum

Aminomethyl Propanol

Disodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Chlorphenesin

Limonene

Linalool

Parfum

CI 15985

CI 17200

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 6.5%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Benzophenone-3 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Cocoglycerides, Lauryl Lactate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Ectoin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Ethyl Linoleate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 17200

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Dimethicone

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

Disodium EDTA

Disodium 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 EDTA

Limonene

Perfuming, Solvent

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Limonene

Linalool

Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.

THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).

Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.

Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.

Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.

A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).

While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.

THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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 Gum