Dermacept by Dr. Zein Obagi Vitamin C5 Serum
Works for
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ascorbic acidMay help
“This high-performing serum contains 5% pure L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and Vitamin E to gently smoothen skin, fade acne scars and create a more radiant complexion. Use sunscreen after application.”
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-agingCentella asiatica extract, Serine + 3 moreMay help
“Potent Vitamin C serum infuses skin with antioxidants that help combat environmental stress and neutralize the effect of free radicals inside skin cells.”
This product contains centella asiatica extract, serine. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tocopherol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (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).
The following ingredients - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, centella asiatica extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Centella asiatica extract, Faex + 4 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": faex, 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Alcohol, Citrus grandis extract + 3 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.
Propanediol~22–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAlcohol~6.5–9.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholWater~4–6%
Isopentyldiol~3–4.5%
Ascorbic acid~2.3–3.4%
- 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 acidTocopherol~1.5–2.2%
- 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 Tocopherol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.1–1.6%
- 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 acidCentella asiatica extract~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractCynara scolymus leaf extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating
More about Cynara scolymus leaf extractFaex~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Yeast extract. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FaexSalicornia herbacea extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Serine~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about SerineCitrus grandis extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus paradisi fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Betaine~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineGlycerin~0.05–0.15%
- 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/ppg-300/55 copolymer~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Propanediol, Alcohol, Water, Isopentyldiol, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Centella asiatica extract, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Faex, Salicornia herbacea extract, Serine, Citrus grandis extract, Unknown, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Unknown, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Betaine, Glycerin, Peg/ppg-300/55 copolymer, Parfum
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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.
| Dermacept by Dr. Zein ObagiVitamin C5 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ObagiC20 Serum | Rohto MentholatumObagi Vitamin C Serum C25 Neo | BlissPro Brightening Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 94% | 89% |
| Price | — | — | $110.61 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Yeast Extract | Yeast Extract | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bellflower Vitamin C 20% Serummelixir Mandarin Vitamin C5 Dark Spot Serum
Product summary
"Dermacept by Dr. Zein Obagi - Vitamin C5 Serum" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
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 (2.30% - 3.40%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.05% - 0.15% and faex 0.55% - 1.25%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3
- 4
- 5Centella asiatica in cosmetologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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