Versus

TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 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 ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cyclomethicone

Emollient
0 / 0 Silicon Icon

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Polyacrylate

Absorbent

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethiconol

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

PEG-75 Stearate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Citrus Limon Fruit Oil

Astringent
Oil Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ceteth-20

Cleansing

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Steareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 1

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Disodium EDTA

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Vitex Agnus Castus Extract

Astringent

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Cananga Odorata Flower Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Arctium Lappa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Phellinus Linteus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Antiseborrhoeic
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Octyldodecanol

Emollient

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isopentyldiol

Humectant

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Diglycerin

Humectant

Propanediol

Solvent

PEG-35 Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

Absorbent

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Calcium Pantothenate

Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Copaifera Officinalis Resin

Masking

Cymbopogon Martini Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Pyridoxine Hcl

Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Palmitate

Emollient

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Salvia Sclarea Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Retinyl Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Inositol

Humectant

Biotin

Antiseborrhoeic

Glyceryl Arachidonate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Linolenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pyridoxine

Skin Conditioning

Folic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Thiamine Hcl

Masking

Cyanocobalamin

Skin Conditioning

Water, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), C13-15 Alkane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, PEG-75 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Ceteth-20, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Steareth-20, Trideceth-6, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octyldodecanol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Isopentyldiol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Diglycerin, Propanediol, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Alcohol, Calcium Pantothenate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sucrose Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Silica, Retinyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Inositol, Biotin, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol 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 Panthenol
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Skin Conditioning

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.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

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
Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

When to use

3 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
100% use every day
511 Routines
86% use in am
14% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum 87 ingredients

Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 6 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Broke Me Out (2) Doesn't Work (2)
dianarvizu's avatar

dianarvizu

4 years ago
Review

Did not work for me
I've been trying to find a good vitaminc c cream/serum to include in my routine and this was sadly not it.
I used for a few days and noticed a ton of new breakouts. This was the only new product I was using, so I stopped it and the breakouts stopped.
Product-wise, it feels nice on the skin, doesn't have a strong scent, and it absorbes really nice.

ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

12 months ago
Review

I like but don't love this serum. It feels nice on the skin, but I haven't noticed any big changes in the overall appearance of my skin with it. I'd give it four stars but they recently changed the packaging from an easy to use metal tube to a plastic tube with a funky lid that's hard to unscrew without taking the whole thing off and exposing the product to air unnecessarily. On the hunt for a new Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent