Remedy For Daily Defense 15% Vitamin C Antioxidant Complex Brightening Serum Versus Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Arbutin and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Zingerone
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Escin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Zingerone, Superoxide Dismutase, Ergothioneine, Plankton Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ferulic Acid, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water