Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Energy Radiance Recharging Night Cream Versus Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum Mask
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Creatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cocoglycerides, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Ubiquinone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caffeine, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Rhamnose
HumectantCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Rhamnose, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Alumina, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Hexyldecanol, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, Linalool, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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 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 Gum
