Works for
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateMay help
“We've lovingly formulated Boots vitamin C brightening booster serum with vitamin C** and YUZU extract to help restore dullness, reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and pores that look minimised.”
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.
Anti-aging3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateNot delivered
“We've lovingly formulated Boots vitamin C brightening booster serum with vitamin C** and YUZU extract to help restore dullness, reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and pores that look minimised.”
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.
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreMay 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 5 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPropylene glycol~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidAscorbyl tetraisopalmitate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Xanthan gum~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateButylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateParfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDipropylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolLimonene~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus aurantium peel oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus junos fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Contains essential oil. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus junos fruit extractTerpineol~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 15985~0.01–0.05%
Ci 19140~0.01–0.05%
Ci 42090~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Propylene glycol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Tocopheryl acetate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Parfum, Dipropylene glycol, Limonene, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Citrus junos fruit extract, Terpineol, Ci 15985, Ci 19140, Ci 42090
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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.
| BootsVitamin C PRO Brightening Booster SerumYOUR PRODUCT | e.l.f. CosmeticsBeauty Shield Vitamin C Pollution Prevention Serum | NourishMaxTRIPLE VITAMIN C SERUM | DermadoctorKakadu C 20% Vitamin C Ether Serum with Ferulic Acid and Vitamin Esters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 57% | 57% |
| Price | $24.98 | $31.58+$6.60 | $39.99+$15.01 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Punica Granatum Extract | Nonapeptide-1 | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Thalion Algolit Firming Glow SerumFunctionalab Retinol 0,5% Serum
Product summary
"Boots - Vitamin C PRO Brightening Booster Serum" could be helpful for: Evens skin tone and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.45% and glycerin 4.10% - 6.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Boots" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 6.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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