Nature Republic Vitapair C Pure Vitamin C 20 Whitening Ampoule Versus Remedy For Daily Defense 15% Vitamin C Antioxidant Complex Brightening Serum
This brightening ampoule is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-10
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlutathione
Arbutin
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingAscorbic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Ferulic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyquaternium-10, Adenosine, Retinol, Niacinamide, Glutathione, Arbutin, Resveratrol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Thiamine Hcl, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Menadione
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Zingerone
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Escin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Zingerone, Superoxide Dismutase, Ergothioneine, Plankton Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ferulic Acid, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-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
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare.
Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks:
In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen.
The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective.
A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model.
Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums).
Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin.
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water