PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Lifting Serum, Enhanced Brightening Gel Serum Versus Pura D'or 20% Vitamin C Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
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 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
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Lifting Serum, Enhanced Brightening Gel Serum 31 ingredients
Pura D'or 20% Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Lifting Serum, Enhanced Brightening Gel Serum 31 ingredients
Pura D'or 20% Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Retinyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citral, Limonene, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Twig Extract
AstringentTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Twig Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Betaine, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Retinol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phytic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Lifting Serum, Enhanced Brightening Gel Serum 31 ingredients
Pura D'or 20% Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Lifting Serum, Enhanced Brightening Gel Serum 31 ingredients
Pura D'or 20% Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Under-rated
Other than Obagi Vitamin C + Hydroquinone, this is the best Vitamin C I’ve used. I took a break from the Obagi about 6 months ago because of the hydroquinone. Since then I’ve used Naturium, Vichy, the Ordinary, and Purador. In a week, the Purador gave me a glow and brightened my skin. I can tell a huge difference. It’s my new go to when I’m not using Obagi!
It’s almost only natural ingredients hence the smell and sediment. Huge bottle for that price!
Shake a lot at first use and shake few times before any use to have smooth texture. It gets awesome golden color. manufacturer suggest to use it in the evening. Probably because of retinol. After first use my skin felt numb, which is a good indicator that it’s a strong serum. So be aware to use good Show more
