Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinklesIncreases hydrationBrightens dull looking skinPromotes more vibrant complexion20% Individuals should advance to 20% only after 15% L-Ascorbic Acid based products have been tolerated.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
cyclomethicone, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, cyclomethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 2, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinklesIncreases hydrationBrightens dull looking skinPromotes more vibrant complexion20% Individuals should advance to 20% only after 15% L-Ascorbic Acid based products have been tolerated.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneAscorbic acid~5.8–8.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidCyclomethicone~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer~3.6–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerPolysilicone-11~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Water~1.9–2.8%
Sodium hyaluronate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSqualane~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneTocopheryl acetate~0.9–1.35%
- 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 acetateCeramide 2~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 2Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12Sorbitan isostearate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateTribehenin~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninAcrylates/carbamate copolymer~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeC12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoatePeg-10~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl palmitate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Cyclopentasiloxane, Ascorbic acid, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Water, Sodium hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopheryl acetate, Ceramide 2, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, Sorbitan isostearate, Tribehenin, Acrylates/carbamate copolymer, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Peg-10, Unknown, Ethylhexyl palmitate, 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.
| CitrixVitamin C 20 Percent CreamYOUR PRODUCT | UltraceuticalsUltra C Firming Eye Cream | Reform SkincareEveryday Moisturiser | Clinicians ComplexC-Plus Antioxidant Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 73% | 60% | 56% |
| Price | $74.40 | $116.00+$41.60 | $46.21−$28.19 | $70.00−$4.40 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 | 1 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine | Ferulic Acid | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Citrix - Vitamin C 20 Percent Cream" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Cyclomethicone and sodium hyaluronate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide 2, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, cyclomethicone, squalane and c12-15 alkyl benzoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 5.80% - 8.70% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in is no longer effective.
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide 2 0.95% - 1.40%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
- This moistruizer also contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.60% - 1.40% and palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 0.45% - 1.00%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 74.40$ up to 99.20$ in the United States and from 123.50CA$ up to 165.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
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