D'Alba Double Serum All in One Multi Balm Versus MediCube Deep Collagen Vita Multi Serum Stick

D'Alba Double Serum All in One Multi Balm Versus MediCube Deep Collagen Vita Multi Serum Stick

This hydrating serum is formulated around Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Copper Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Synthetic Wax

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Octyldodecanol

Polyethylene

Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Tocopheryl Acetate

Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil

Monascus Extract

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Borago Officinalis Extract

Beta Vulgaris Root Extract

Angelica Gigas Extract

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract

Tuber Magnatum Extract

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract

Rose Extract

Jasminum Officinale Extract

Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract

Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract

Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract

Iris Versicolor Extract

Freesia Refracta Extract

Collagen Extract

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil

Glycine Soja Oil

Persea Gratissima Oil

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Microcrystalline Wax

Bisabolol

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

Tocopherol

Water

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables

Ceramide NP

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Butylene Glycol

Glutathione

Ascorbic Acid

1,2-Hexanediol

Glucose

Mannose

Parfum

Dehydroacetic Acid

Citral

Linalool

Citronellol

Hexyl Cinnamal

Limonene

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Monascus Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Collagen Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Mannose, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene

Vegetable Oil

Ceresin

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate

Diisostearyl Malate

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Hexyldecyl Ethylhexanoate

Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate

Beeswax

Copernicia Cerifera Wax

Shorea Robusta Seed Butter

Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate

Dipropylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract

Ferulic Acid

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Adenosine

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Propanediol

Glycerin

Glycine Soja Peptide

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sorbitan Laurate

Soluble Collagen

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester

Acetyl Hexapeptide-1

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Copper Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Atelocollagen

Oligopeptide-1

Oligopeptide-2

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Ceresin, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hexyldecyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Shorea Robusta Seed Butter, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Adenosine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Peptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Laurate, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Atelocollagen, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin

Emollient, helping to soften skin

Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas

Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:

Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.

One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.

While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.

The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.

Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.

Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Butylene 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.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.

It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.

The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.

The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.

Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.

One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).

This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.

On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.

Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.

It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.

One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.

Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.

Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.

Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.

The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.

Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

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