The Purest Solutions Vitamin B Complex Serum Versus True Care Brightening Vitamin C Serum
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Purest Solutions Vitamin B Complex Serum 28 ingredients
True Care Brightening Vitamin C Serum 31 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Purest Solutions Vitamin B Complex Serum 28 ingredients
True Care Brightening Vitamin C Serum 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Ferulic Acid, Sodium PCA, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folic Acid
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactic Acid, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Purest Solutions Vitamin B Complex Serum 28 ingredients
True Care Brightening Vitamin C Serum 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Purest Solutions Vitamin B Complex Serum 28 ingredients
i’ve been using this serum after dermaplaning and wake up with a glowing skin. calms my skin down. broke me out when i used multiple times a week tho.
I only used it three times at 3-day intervals (which is not even an overuse). And my face, which did not even have a single pimple, turned into a minefield. I threw it in the trash.
