Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbyl glucosideMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Panthenol, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium pca.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucosideMay 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucosideMay help
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Panthenol~5.7–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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~2.8–4.2%
- 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 glucosideSodium pca~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaChondrus crispus powder~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A powder from red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus powderXanthan gum~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium citrate~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.75%
Citric acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl glucoside, Sodium pca, Chondrus crispus powder, Xanthan gum, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| ApolosophyActive+ Vitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choice10% Niacinamide Booster | REVOLUTION SKINCAREBlemish Resurfacing and Recovery 2% Tranexamic Acid Serum | endota spaPeptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 63% | 62% |
| Price | — | $50.34 | — | $126.40 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Urea | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skin first Hyaluronic acid + ceramide boosterThe Purest Solutions Intensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5
Product summary
"Apolosophy - Active+ Vitamin C Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 5.70% - 8.60% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Humectants (sodium pca 2.00% - 3.00%, glycerin 3.50% - 5.30% and panthenol 5.70% - 8.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 2
- 3
- 4The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
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