Pure Choice Brightening Vitamin C Serum Versus Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir
Updated on November 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, 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 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
Pure Choice Brightening Vitamin C Serum 24 ingredients
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 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
Pure Choice Brightening Vitamin C Serum 24 ingredients
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Arginine
Masking
Taurine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Thioctic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Arginine, Taurine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Quartz Powder
Abrasive
Amethyst Powder
Abrasive
Ruby Powder
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSaussurea Involucrata Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Plumeria Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Triheptanoin, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Silica, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Quartz Powder, Amethyst Powder, Ruby Powder, Gold, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Saussurea Involucrata Callus Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Benzoate, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper Gluconate, Hydrated Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral
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 is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePentylene 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 GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolRosa Canina Fruit Extract is from Rosehip. Rosehips are a fruit from a wild rose bush native to Eurasia and Africa.
Rosehip contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, fatty acids and linolenic acids that hydrate skin. Having hydrated skin helps reduce the appearance of fine-lines and wrinkles.
Vitamins C and E are potent antioxidants and may help with anti-aging. The fatty acids are emollients that help soften and hydrate your skin.
Another potent vitamin found in rosehip is Vitamin A, or retinol. Retinol encourages collagen production in the skin.
Rosehip extract may help with brightening the skin. Several components, such as beta-carotene, are able to reduce pigmentation caused by sun damage.
Learn more about Rosa Canina Fruit ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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.
Xanthan 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 GumCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Pure Choice Brightening Vitamin C Serum 24 ingredients
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Pure Choice Brightening Vitamin C Serum 24 ingredients
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 66 ingredients
It looks nice but I haven’t noticed many results.
