Versus

Simple Skincare Booster Serum 10% Vitamins C + E + F Versus Garnier Skinactive Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Serum
Serum
British Brand United Kingdom
French Brand France

Updated on June 20, 2024

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Skinactive Vitamin C Brightening 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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

46 Routines
74% use in am
26% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
37 Routines
76% use in am
24% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Simple Skincare Booster Serum 10% Vitamins C + E + F 18 ingredients

Booster Serum 10% Vitamins C + E + F hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Garnier Skinactive Vitamin C Brightening Serum 34 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1)
geethahm's avatar

geets

6 months ago
Review

THIS IS SO GOOD!!! has never broken me out, such a gentle exfoliant. i use this everyday and have seen massive improvements to my skin texture and appearance. my dark spots are fading, my skin looks brighter, i rarely have blackheads. love this!!! repurchased four times!!!

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
Oop's avatar

Maddie

1 month ago
Review

I wish I could give this product a negative 100 because of how bad this product was for me.

I bought this ages ago before I had this app, but I used it only once and on the same day I had a cluster of pimples all over my face which ruined my skin barrier.

I don’t know if I was allergic to an ingredient in it or it just didn’t work well with my skin type (dry, sensitive, fungal-acne prone) Show more

#broke me out
#irritating
#strong scent