Comparison between Obagi Medical Obagi-C Fx System C-Clarifying Serum vs. IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus

Find out which product is better for your skin.

8 Ingredients 17

1
Water
1
Water
2
Propylene Glycol
2
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
3
SD Alcohol 39c
3
Laureth-4
4
Dipropylene Glycol
4
Alcohol Denatured
5
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
5
Pentylene Glycol
6
Arbutin
6
Propylene Glycol
7
Propylene Carbonate
7
Triethanolamine
8
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
8
Tocopherol
-- Show others --
Uniqueness4 out of 8
50.0%
Uniqueness13 out of 17
76.5%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
No
No
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
2 out of 8
25%
chemical
5 out of 8
63%
natural
7 out of 17
41%
chemical
9 out of 17
53%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 3Negative: 1
Propylene Glycol#2Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)#5Arbutin#6Sodium Lauryl Sulfate#8
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Dry skin
Positive: 5Negative: 1
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)#2Propylene Glycol#6Tocopherol#8Glycerin#9Arbutin#15Alcohol Denatured#4
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Laureth-4#3
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Retinol (Vitamin A)#11

Detailed view

Obagi Medical Obagi-C Fx System C-Clarifying Serum vs. IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus
Position 1
Both products have the same component on this position.

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Propylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Propylene Glycol is a useful componet with many positive effects. It’s a very good moisturizer. It helps to deliver ingredients into deeper layers of the skin. It creates a protective layer on the skin preventing water loss. The component is researched very well and doesn’t have notable side effects. It’s used even for making food.

-- versus --

#2Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Buffering agent, Fragrance ingredient, Masking
Antioxidants
UV Protection
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
Rejuvenation
Regeneration
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Vitamin C is known for its strong antioxidant activity. It helps to slow down aging processes. The other positive effect of this ingredient is that it helps to make skin tone even. It's a great ingredient to counter dark areas and uneven skin tone. It's well-researched and considered safe. But it's acid and can irritate the skin if used too often.

Position 3

#3SD Alcohol 39c

Origin: No information
Role: Astringent, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
-- versus --

#3Laureth-4

Origin: chemical
Role: Antistatic agent, Emulsifying agent, Masking, Surfactant
Softening
Comedogenic rating [ 5 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Bad for oily skin
Bad for oily skin
Position 4

#4Dipropylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent, emulsifier, viscosity decreasing, and masking agent. It helps to extract useful chemicals from plants and leaves, making natural components in a product more effective. It also helps to hydrate the skin. Considered safe for health and doesn't irritate the skin in common concentration.

-- versus --

#4Alcohol Denatured

Origin: chemical
Role: Antifoaming agent, Antimicrobial agent, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Antiseptic
Alcohols
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Bad for dry skin
Bad for dry skin

Alcohol Denatured is a great bacteria killer. Manufacturers often put it inside products to increase their shelf life.

It’s one of the most harmful alcohols used in skincare. You should use it carefully, especially if you have dry skin. It removes oily barrier from the surface of your skin making it less protected and causing dryness. We advise you to pay attention to the position of this component in a formulation. If it stays below the 6th position it will hardly harm your skin. We also recommend testing the product first before application. If you feel a “cooling effect” it means the product contains a lot of alcohol and it's better to be careful with it.

Position 5

#5Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Buffering agent, Fragrance ingredient, Masking
Antioxidants
UV Protection
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
Rejuvenation
Regeneration
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Vitamin C is known for its strong antioxidant activity. It helps to slow down aging processes. The other positive effect of this ingredient is that it helps to make skin tone even. It's a great ingredient to counter dark areas and uneven skin tone. It's well-researched and considered safe. But it's acid and can irritate the skin if used too often.

-- versus --

#5Pentylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Solvent
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Pentylene Glycol is a great replacement for Propylene Glycol. It has very similar characteristics but it’s derived from plants (usually from corn). Natural cosmetics lovers will find this component very useful. It enhances the moisturizing effect of cosmetic products, improves the efficiency of preservatives and it’s an effective emulsifier. It’s approved by ECOCERT and COSMOS so it’s considered to be 100% safe and can be used in vegan products.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

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Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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