The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum Versus Theramid C-Tetra E.F.

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum versus Theramid C-Tetra E.F. .

Last updated on March 07, 2024. Published on January 31, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, 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.

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The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum

Theramid C-Tetra E.F.

Serum American Brand United States

Serum German Brand Germany

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum 37 ingredients

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. 21 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

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum 37 ingredients

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. 21 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Exfoliators

Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Redness Reducing

Skin Texture

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Rosacea

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (3)

Vitamin E

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing (3)

Skin Texture (3)

Anti-Aging (4)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum 37 ingredients

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. 21 ingredients

Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Triheptanoin • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer • Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Heterotheca Inuloides Flower Extract • Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract • Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract • Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract • Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1 • Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer • Diheptyl Succinate • Phenoxyethanol • Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters • Lysolecithin • Sclerotium Gum • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Pullulan • Xanthan Gum • Jojoba Esters • Silica • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Formate • Sodium Glycolate • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium PCA • Potassium Hydroxide • Potassium Sorbate

Water • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Propanediol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Glycerin • Tricaprylin • Methylpropanediol • Glycine Soja Seed Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate • Ferulic Acid • Lecithin • Sclerotium Gum • Pullulan • Xanthan Gum • Silica • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Citrate • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate

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.

Water

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 Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 1.

Propanediol

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

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 3.

Glycerin

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

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 5.

Sclerotium Gum

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.

In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.

As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.

Learn more about Sclerotium Gum

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 13.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

What it does: Antioxidant, Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or pure Vitamin C.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.

As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

One study found Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate to degrade in sunlight, but is stabilized when conbined with acetyl zingerone.

Learn more about Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 2.

Tocopheryl Acetate

What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 9.

Pullulan

What it does:

Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Pullulan.

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 14.

Xanthan Gum

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 Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 15.

Silica

What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent

Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 16.

Citric Acid

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 19.

Sodium Benzoate

What it does: Masking, Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 20.

Sodium Hydroxide

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 Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

Theramid C-Tetra E.F. contains this as ingredient number 17.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate