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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA versus Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum .

Published on November 14, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for 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, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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 Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Starts at $85.90
Shop

Buy C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

Starts at $78.00

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

AHA
Vitamin C (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

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

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 1.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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 Propanediol

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 4.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 5.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

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

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 6.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing
Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza 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 Extract

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 17.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 22.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

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.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 25.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
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.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 29.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 47.

9
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.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 30.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

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

40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
40% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
15% 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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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA 30 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum 47 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Irritating (1) Pilling (1) Sticky (1)
traceyy's avatar

traceyy

3 hours ago · Combination Skin
Review

WNRP -- this vitamin C was underwhelming. I could not bring myself to finish the entire bottle as it felt irritating on my skin compared to other...

WNRP -- this vitamin C was underwhelming. I could not bring myself to finish the entire bottle as it felt irritating on my skin compared to other vitamin C serums.

PrincezzJulie's avatar

PrincezzJulie

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Oxidised
Must use within a month, else will oxidised and make my skin tone darker.

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