Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on September 04, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner 35 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner 35 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Water
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingErythritol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Erythritol, Pentylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Adenosine, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Madecassoside, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Arbutin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
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 WaterNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about Niacinamide1,2-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
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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethaminePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolYou 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 AcidAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineDisodium 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 EDTACaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner 35 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner 35 ingredients
6-Month Update: This toner is incredibly hydrating and packed with benefits—I love the way it feels on my skin. This toner is advertised as a brightening and vitamin packed toner. While it’s not an everyday staple, it’s definitely earned a permanent spot in my skincare arsenal. I can definitely feel the actives at work on my face. (I love that for me) Plus, the large bottle makes it both Show more
Gave me cc... And did little to nothing with brightening my skin
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 19 ingredients
I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and pimples on my cheeks and nose. I highly doubt that my skin is purging since this serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle alternative to L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C isn’t supposed to make the skin purge. I’m assuming the breakouts were Show more
*This is a review for both Vitamin C Serums* This vitamin C serum for sensitive skin is a good product but didn’t have a good experience with the boosting vitamin C serum. Was applying the orange vitamin C serum for just 2-3 days straight and suddenly I started getting acne on my chin, forehead , which I never got acne on those places. Did not feel no irritation while applying the vitamin C , but Show more
