The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Intense Moisturiser Versus Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Water Gel Moisturizer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBakuchiol
AntimicrobialEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Limonene
PerfumingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Myristyl Myristate, Squalane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Bakuchiol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Limonene, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, PEG-8, Linalool, Geraniol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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