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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum versus The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum .

Published on November 04, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum

Shop

Buy Epik C Serum

Starts at $24.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (7)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (7)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterButylene GlycolPropanediolEthylhexyl OlivateCetearyl AlcoholChlorogenic AcidsNiacinamideLauryl LactateDimethyl IsosorbidePyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl EsterHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractAscorbyl TetraisopalmitateErgothioneineBenzylidene DimethoxydimethylindanoneArabidopsis Thaliana ExtractCarnosineCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractVitis Vinifera Seed ExtractTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract Curcuma Longa Root ExtractOlea Europaea Fruit ExtractEuterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2Buddleja Officinalis Flower ExtractCoffea Arabica Leaf Cell ExtractCrocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture ExtractSuperoxide DismutaseUbiquinonePlankton ExtractMicrococcus LysateArginineZingiber Officinale Root ExtractCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPLinoleic AcidLinolenic AcidSea Whip ExtractBisabololTocopherolTocopheryl AcetateCholesterolPhytosphingosineJojoba EstersSodium PCAPentylene GlycolMethyl Gluceth-20GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed WaxAcacia Decurrens Flower WaxLecithinSodium Lauroyl LactylateDicetyl PhosphatePropanediol Dicaprylate/CapratePolyglycerin-3Ceteth-20 PhosphateDiisostearyl MalateXanthan GumSteareth-2Acacia Senegal GumPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateCarbomerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDextranRicinoleth-40Sodium HydroxideCitric AcidSodium PhytateEthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 49.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 59.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 70.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 71.

The Better Skin Co. Epik C Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

46% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum.

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