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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence versus The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum .

Published on March 20, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Essence British Brand United Kingdom
Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence

Starts at $24.99
Shop

Buy 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum

Starts at $15.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

PHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Peptides

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-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 Oil

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 5.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 10.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

6
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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

No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence contains this as ingredient number 11.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

24% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
31% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 29 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to No7 Youthful Vitamin C Fresh Radiance Essence.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 47 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum.

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