Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Mannitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Triacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Silica, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tocopherol, Glutathione, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Urea, Mannitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trehalose, Ascorbic Acid, Glucose, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Ergothioneine, Triacetin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Astaxanthin, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica, Phenoxyethanol
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 an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum 41 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum 24 ingredients
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