Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Adenosine + 5 moreWorks well
“This highly concentrated serum helps to fade acne scars and brighten the complexion, to revitalise dull and dry skin while firming, plumping and diminishing 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, acetyl glucosamine, adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: tocotrienols.
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Acetyl glucosamine + 15 moreWorks well
“This highly concentrated serum helps to fade acne scars and brighten the complexion, to revitalise dull and dry skin while firming, plumping and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.”
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:
arginine, 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: arginine, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, panthenol
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“This highly concentrated serum helps to fade acne scars and brighten the complexion, to revitalise dull and dry skin while firming, plumping and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
In addition, this product contains acetyl glucosamine, glutathione. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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-blemishNiacinamide ~0.25–0.45%Under-dosed
“Acne scarring, blemishes and pigmentation will be reduced over time.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 8 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione, tocotrienols) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Ascorbic acid, Gardenia florida fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ascorbic acid23%
- 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 acidPropanediol~5.7–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDimethicone~4.7–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeTromethamine~3.1–3.8%
Panthenol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about Panthenol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.9–2.3%
- 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 acidSqualane~1.7–2.1%
- 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 SqualaneCaffeine~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineSodium chloride~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hyaluronate~0.9–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Disodium edta~0.55–0.8%
Glutathione~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlutathioneAdenosine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineAcetyl glucosamine~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineGardenia florida fruit extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating.
More about Gardenia florida fruit extractAllantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinDextrin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinTocotrienols~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
More about TocotrienolsTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolElaeis guineensis oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Elaeis guineensis oilButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolArginine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineNiacinamide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePentylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAlcohol denat.~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.25–0.45%
- 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 oilGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractMethyl trimethicone~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilCamellia japonica seed oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore skin's barrier function. Might have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia japonica seed oilDaucus carota sativa root extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carrot extract. Might have anti-oxidant properties and be used to add orange color
More about Daucus carota sativa root extractBeta-carotene~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ascorbic acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Panthenol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium chloride, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium sulfite, Disodium edta, Glutathione, Adenosine, Acetyl glucosamine, Gardenia florida fruit extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis guineensis oil, Butylene glycol, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Methyl trimethicone, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Camellia japonica seed oil, Daucus carota sativa root extract, Beta-carotene
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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.
| COSRXThe Vitamin C 23 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | VitabridWrinkle Serum Professional | Dr. Jart+Brightamin Brightening Serum with Niacinamide and Vitamin C | Pre-LaunchV.Biome Infusion Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 78% | 77% | 76% |
| Price | — | — | $37.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 7 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Biobare Vitamin C, B, E & Ferulic SerumLierac Mésolift C15 Extemporaneous Anti-Fatigue Revitalizing Concentrate
Product summary
"COSRX - The Vitamin C 23 Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (23.00% (declared)) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Adenosine 0.40% - 0.60%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 2.40% - 2.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (arginine 0.20% - 0.40%, acetyl glucosamine 0.35% - 0.60%, sodium hyaluronate 0.90% - 1.15% and panthenol 2.40% - 2.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "COSRX" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 25.55A$ in Australia, from 17.68$ up to 25.00$ in the United States and from 28.00£ up to 29.99£ 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 35 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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