Chemist At Play 10% Vitamin C Face Serum vs The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum Helps to Intensively Brighten All Skin Types 30ml

Pros

• ✓Uses Ethyl Ascorbic Acid—a stable Vitamin C derivative that works at a wider pH range and resists oxidation better than L-Ascorbic Acid
• ✓Multiple users report visible brightening, reduced hyperpigmentation, and more even skin tone within weeks
• ✓Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture with no pilling under sunscreen
• ✓Lactic Acid improves active penetration and provides gentle resurfacing without aggressive irritation

Cons

• ✗Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is somewhat less potent than pure L-Ascorbic Acid for collagen stimulation at equivalent percentages
• ✗Opaque packaging makes it impossible to monitor remaining product volume
• ✗Lactic Acid requires consistent SPF use and may sensitize reactive or compromised skin
• ✗Some users consider the price point high relative to drugstore alternatives with similar actives

Best For

Pros

• ✓Consistent user-reported brightening and hyperpigmentation reduction, including on darker skin tones
• ✓Ascorbyl Glucoside is highly stable, fragrance-free, and rarely causes stinging — suitable for sensitive skin
• ✓Excellent value for money, praised repeatedly across reviews
• ✓No irritating alcohols or fragrance; absorbs without leaving a heavy residue for most users

Cons

• ✗Ascorbyl Glucoside requires enzymatic conversion to L-ascorbic acid in skin — inherently less potent and potentially slower than pure vitamin C serums
• ✗EGF (sh-Oligopeptide-1) topical efficacy is scientifically unproven at cosmetic concentrations due to limited skin penetration
• ✗Pump mechanism reported as poor quality — leaks product and wears out quickly
• ✗Some users find texture noticeably sticky; no fill-level indicator on the bottle

Best For