Plum Goodness 15% Vitamin C Face Serum With Mandarin Versus Melano CC Vitamin C Brightening Lotion Milk
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Betaine, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract
HumectantAlpinia Zerumbet Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,5-Pentanediol
SolventIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Glyceryl Heptanoate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract, Alpinia Zerumbet Seed Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,5-Pentanediol, Isopentyldiol, Glyceryl Heptanoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Water, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidSodium 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 CitrateWater. 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 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
