Skin Generics Brightening Brightening Serum Vitamin C 20% Active Complex
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbyl glucoside, Glycine soja proteinMay help
“Brightening Brightening Serum Vitamin C 20% Active Complex”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside, glycine soja protein.
Anti-agingAscorbyl glucoside, Glycine soja protein + 1 moreMay help
“Soy (Soybean) regenerates the skin and reduces the depth of wrinkles.”
This product contains ascorbyl glucoside. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Glycine soja protein + 5 moreWorks
“A Brightening, Antioxidant and Moisturising serum with 20% of brightening properties with optimal results after daily use.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
algae extract, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: algae extract, glycine soja protein.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Glycine soja proteinMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinAscorbyl glucoside~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosidePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTromethamine~1.7–2.5%
Cellulose gum~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumPpg-26-buteth-26~1.2–1.9%
Glycine soja protein~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking
More about Glycine soja proteinPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilSodium hyaluronate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAlgae extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.9%
Disodium edta~0.35–0.8%
Sodium hydroxide~0.35–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolParfum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium cocoyl glutamate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium cocoyl glutamateSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.45%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Propylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSodium dehydroacetate~0.05–0.25%
Pentylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium chloride~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCi 19140~0.05–0.15%
Ci 16255~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Cellulose gum, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Glycine soja protein, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Algae extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium benzoate, 1,2-hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium sorbate, Propylene glycol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Pentylene glycol, Sodium chloride, Ci 19140, Ci 16255
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Skin GenericsBrightening Brightening Serum Vitamin C 20% Active ComplexYOUR PRODUCT | Transparent LabSuper C Serum | PayotHarmonie Serum | EcookingVitamin-C Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 43% | 43% |
| Price | — | $24.12 | — | $42.12 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Cholesterol | Niacinamide | Saccharide Isomerate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid SerumlaCabine Vit-C Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6
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