The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Essano Advanced Brightening Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Squalane to fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Water, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Betaine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Laurate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 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.
Dimethyl Isosorbide (often shortened to DMI) is a sugar-derived solvent made from sorbitol. It's used to dissolve tricky ingredients and help them mix smoothly into a formula.
Many actives sit as gritty crystals when undissolved, so DMI swoops in to full dissolve them. This helps improve texture, stability, and how evenly an active is distributed.
It does have a penetration-enhancing reputation that is a bit more nuanced than marketing suggests; a cell study on human skin found that 10% DMI didn't significantly boost the permeation of Hydroquinone, Salicylic Acid, or Octadecenedioic Acid compared to controls (though it did improve their solubility in the formula itself).
Typical usage concentrations usually range from 1-10% depending on the formula's needs; this ingredient is also well tolerated at these levels.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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
