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APOTCARE PURE SERUM – Vitamin C 15%
APOTCARE

APOTCARE PURE SERUM – Vitamin C 15%

Efficacy62/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Lactic acid
May help
What the product description says
“This powerful serum brightens hyperpigmentation and improves the look of skin over time.”
Source: Mecca NZ

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.

3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidKey activeEffect: MediumA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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~1.3–2%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.05–0.1%
Anti-aging
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Lactic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Protect your complexion against free radicals while strengthening collagen and reducing pigmentation caused by sun damage.”
Source: Mecca NZ

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.

This ingredient 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.

3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidEffect: LowA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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~1.3–2%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.05–0.1%
Moisturizing
Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Pentylene glycol + 1 more
Works
What the product description says
“Protect your complexion against free radicals while strengthening collagen and reducing pigmentation caused by sun damage.”
Source: Mecca NZ

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.2–6.3%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~3.4–5.2%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.05–0.1%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
May help

This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) 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.

3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidKey activeEffect: MediumA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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~1.3–2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 4 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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 productsHigh~1.3–2%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~3.4–5.2%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Attivi Puri Vitamin C and Alpha-Arbutin Brightening Anti-Oxidant
Collistar Attivi Puri Vitamin C and Alpha-Arbutin Brightening Anti-Oxidant
Higher efficacy · 100/10072% match
$33.45
Snow Mushroom Water Serum
Volition Snow Mushroom Water Serum
Higher efficacy · 83/10070% match
$69.00
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Pentylene glycol~3.4–5.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Propanediol~2.4–3.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.3–2%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Lactic acid~0.05–0.1%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Propanediol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Lactic acid

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
APOTCAREPURE SERUM – Vitamin C 15%YOUR PRODUCTCollistarAttivi Puri Vitamin C and Alpha-Arbutin Brightening Anti-OxidantVolitionSnow Mushroom Water Serumpharma oilSunshine Serum 10% Vitamin C
Match—72%70%69%
Price—$33.45$69.00—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 22 of 2
Key difference—Alpha-ArbutinN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 AcetateNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitorncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
APOTCARE PURE SERUM – Vitamin C 15%
APOTCAREPURE SERUM – Vitamin C 15%
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