Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum Versus REN Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum
Updated on September 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSqualane
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientIlex Guayusa Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Pullulan
Mannitol
HumectantHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Squalane, Triethyl Citrate, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Lauroyl Lysine, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Pullulan, Mannitol, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Silica, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ergothioneine
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventDiisooctyl Succinate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Sucrose Polystearate
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycogen
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Diisooctyl Succinate, Squalane, Sucrose Polystearate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycogen, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Citric Acid, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidXanthan 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 GumSodium 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 HyaluronateMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a form of Vitamin C and is an antioxidant. It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
MAP is created by combining ascorbic acid with magnesium salt. While MAP more gentle on the skin than ascorbic acid, it is thought to be less easily-absorbed into the skin.
Due to MAP's stability up to a pH level of 7, it is more stable to air and sunlight exposure than ascorbic acid. The best pH range for MAP is between 5 and 6.
Like other forms of Vitamin C, MAP has been shown to help reduce hyperpigmentation and simulate collagen production.
As an antioxidant, it helps protect your skin against the signs of aging.
Learn more about Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
We don't have a description for Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum 34 ingredients
Most effective vitamin C
This is the product I let myself splurge on because I haven't found anything that compares so far. This is so fast-acting for lightening my dark spots/acne scars. I use one pump on the whole face, once a day in the AM so the bottle tends to last me about 3 months. Highly, highly recommend for dark spots!
Did nothing for my dark spots, instead destroyed my skin barrier.
REN Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum 34 ingredients
Lightweight serum, absorbs quickly. Works well on my sensitive skin, gives me some brightening and a good glow
