Clinicians Complex C-Plus Antioxidant Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula also helps to protect the skin against the damaging effects of free radicals, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
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.
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“C-Plus Antioxidant Cream”
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, glycerin.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 1
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Diazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Ascorbyl palmitate~7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateAscorbic acid~5.1–6.2%
- 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 acidGlucosamine~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Unspecified form of vitamin c~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~2.1–2.6%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolGlyceryl stearate se~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate sePetrolatum~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumEthylhexyl palmitate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePolysorbate 20~0.75–1.15%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilGlycerin~0.5–0.75%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl palmitate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateCeramide 1~0.45–0.65%
- 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 1Sphingolipids~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sphingolipids are a group of lipids with a common chemical structure. Some of them are naturally present in skin and can be converted to ceramides
More about SphingolipidsGlycosphingolipids~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipids naturally present in skin. They can be converted to ceramides in skin
More about GlycosphingolipidsCholesterol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolSqualane~0.3–0.55%
- 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 SqualaneCitric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidRetinyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateCyclomethicone~0.2–0.35%
- 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 CyclomethiconePropylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 glycolDiazolidinyl urea~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaMethylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ascorbyl palmitate, Ascorbic acid, Glucosamine, Unspecified form of vitamin c, Unknown, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl stearate se, Petrolatum, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, Ceramide 1, Sphingolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Cholesterol, Squalane, Citric acid, Retinyl palmitate, Unknown, Cyclomethicone, Propylene glycol, Diazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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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.
| Clinicians ComplexC-Plus Antioxidant CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Citrix15% Cream | Reform SkincareEveryday Moisturiser | d'AlbaWhite Truffle Intensive Nourishing Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 70% | 67% |
| Price | $70.00 | $92.40+$22.40 | $46.21−$23.79 | $32.99−$37.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 12 | 3 of 12 | 1 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Ferulic Acid | Hyaluronic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Clinicians Complex - C-Plus Antioxidant Cream" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (cyclomethicone and glycerin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide 1, cholesterol, cyclomethicone, glycosphingolipids and sphingolipids) 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) 5.10% - 6.20% 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 it is no longer effective.
- This moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.20% - 0.35%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide 1 0.45% - 0.65%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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 70.00$ up to 75.00$ in the United States and for 98.00CA$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3
- 4
- 5Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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