Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum versus Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum .

Published on November 09, 2020

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens 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 British Brand United Kingdom
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 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum

Starts at $15.99
Shop

Buy Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

Starts at $43.00

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
Peptides

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

3
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.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

4
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.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

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.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

7
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, such as lactic acid.

AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight exfoliating effect. Phytic Acid has been shown to help calm irritation. In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.

As an antioxidant, phytic acid may help with the signs of aging. Antioxidants help neutralize free-radical molecules. These molecules may damage your skin cells.

An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Phytic Acid

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

38% are loved or liked
31% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
54% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 47 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum.

See 47 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...