Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum Concentrate Versus Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Trehalose to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening serum is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Squalane to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trehalose
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingLinalool
Perfuming
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicNelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingBHT
Antioxidant
Thymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Triethylhexanoin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Trehalose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-14m, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Linalool, Lauryl Betaine, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Citronellol, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Alcohol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, BHT, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Squalane
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Squalane, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Beta-Glucan, Parfum, Sorbitol, Limonene, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Disodium EDTA, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Tocotrienols, Linalool, Tocopherol, Citral, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTALinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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
