Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
“DESCRIPTION Dr Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum is a revitalizing serum with Vitamin-packed oil capsules that help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of dark spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 4 moreWorks well
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, caprylyl glycol.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extractMedium 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%
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit water~6.4–9.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~3.5–5.3%
- 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 NiacinamidePropanediol~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about Propanediol1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.7%
Camellia sinensis leaf water~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Green tea leaf water. Might have some minimal anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia sinensis leaf waterCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCastor oil/ipdi copolymer~1.1–1.6%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.9–1.35%
- 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 crosspolymerTromethamine~0.55–1.3%
Xanthan gum~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gum3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.35–0.85%
- 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 acidAdenosine~0.3–0.7%
- 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 AdenosineDisodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Allantoin~0.1–0.45%
- 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 AllantoinBifida ferment filtrate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Butylene glycol~0.05–0.1%
- 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 glycolMelaleuca alternifolia leaf extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extractCaprylyl glycol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Water, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, Camellia sinensis leaf water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Castor oil/ipdi copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan gum, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Allantoin, Bifida ferment filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene glycol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extract, Caprylyl glycol
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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.
| Dr. AltheaGentle Vitamin C Serum 30mlYOUR PRODUCT | Jin Jung sungOmega Vegan Vita Serum | ArenciaVitamin C Booster Shot | DERMAFIRMBio Correcting Ampoule Astasome A4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 93% | 93% |
| Price | — | $31.40 | $15.77 | $21.80 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin C | Panthenol | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening SerumMake P:rem Glutamin Antioxidant Radiance Serum
Product summary
"Dr. Althea - Buy Dr Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum - Korean Skincare" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.30%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Adenosine 0.30% - 0.70%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
Price
The product retails for 25.95A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6
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