Somethinc Glass-C 12% Vitamin C Serum Versus Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol 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 ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Glucosylrutin
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Water, Methylpropanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Glycereth-26, Ferulic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Glucosylrutin, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, 4-Butylresorcinol, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Ethyl Hexanediol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Soluble Collagen
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
