I don't know whether the vitamin C crystals are the same...Alacer says theirs is in the form of "mineral ascorbates" and have several different minerals listed in their nutrition information. Perhaps you know whether that makes a difference?
Shouldn't matter, though, I think that what does it is the large amounts of easily absorbed vitamin c. I know that taking it orally or chewing tablets doesn't help me at all, even when I take huge doses. I really really like EmergenC, too :) It tastes very very yummy AND is already measured into little packets that I take with me everywhere.