No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum Versus Walgreens Vitamin C Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Walgreens Vitamin C Serum 23 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Walgreens Vitamin C Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Linalool, T-Butyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Denatonium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingArginine
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Allantoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterYou might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinXanthan 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 GumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Walgreens Vitamin C Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Really didn’t like the texture it left. Have used far nicer bit c serums. Not awful but did not impress me. Got rid of before ran out and wouldn’t re purchase
