Versus

Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum Versus Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on May 23, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C

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, silicones or sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Antioxidant

Ergothioneine is an amino acid found naturally in mushrooms, grains, and meat. It has antioxidant and skin soothing properties.

This amino acid helps with:

  • Maintaining DNA stability and cell reproduction
  • Enhances cellular immunity
  • Skin brightening
  • Anti-aging
  • Skin soothing
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl 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 Glycol
Humectant, Masking, Moisturising

Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.

When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.

Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.

Learn more about Mannitol

When to use

254 Routines
91% use in am
9% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
20 Routines
75% use in am
25% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 10 ratings
Great Value (6) Strong Scent (6) Absorbs Well (5)
brookefowler's avatar

Brooke Fowler

7 months ago
Review

When I first got into skincare years ago, I tried the extremely expensive ce ferulic everyone knows and, though I loved it and it made a big difference in my skin, I couldn’t justify the price for what ended up being half a bottle before it oxidized. All other vitamin c just irritated my skin so I gave up on it. I had a reoccurrence of my acne recently and remembered that this product had been a Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#strong scent
ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

7 months ago
Review

I really like this Vitamin C serum and have noticed an improvement in some of my dark spots. The serum is packaged in opaque glass to protect it from UV. I don't like the pump very much as the formula is very liquid and it shoots out fast - something to be aware of. It also has to go on first (before other serums) as things can pill on top of it. However, for the price and effectiveness, I'm Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#light scent

Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum 39 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Works Well (1)
sierras1's avatar

Sierra S

4 months ago
Review

I have tried so many vitamin c serums and they all unfortunately broke me out and often stung my overly sensitive skin. I tried everyone's HG, the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic which was by far the worst. I don't like a lot of Alastin products but this is the only vitamin c I've ever tried that works for me.

#expensive
#works well