Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Works for
Does not work for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
This dermatologist-tested, fast-absorbing, ultra-concentrated serum synergistically and visibly brightens, fades darks spots, and promotes a more even-looking complexion while supporting collagen for less-visible lines and wrinkles and firmer-looking skin.
Source: Sephora
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
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
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) 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 - hexylresorcinol also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
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
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.
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
C Scription™ Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Source: From product name
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
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: ethyl linoleate, hexylresorcinol.
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
Anti-blemish
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains ethyl linoleate.
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Dark Spots, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Loss of Firmness and Elasticity Formulation.
Source: Sephora
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:
glycerin, glucose.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethyl linoleate.
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
A rich source of natural AHAs that exfoliate and brighten the skin.
Source: Dr. Brandt
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 68/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Dr. Brandt C Scription™ Vitamin C Brightening Serum | Current | $115.00 | |
Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C Serum | 66% | - | |
 Youth To The People Superfood Firm + Brighten Serum | 59% | $68.00 | |
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum | 59% | $24.50 | |
 Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum | 58% | $110.00 | |
 skinmade Vitamin C E + Alpha Arbutin serum | 58% | $25.49 |
Key Actives
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
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
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
Potential irritants
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
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
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
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.
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Comedogenic ingredients
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
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.
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
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
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Ingredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, C9-12 alkane, Ppg-24-glycereth-24, Propanediol, Glycerin, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Hexylresorcinol, Ethyl linoleate, Plankton extract, Bioflavonoids, Glucose, Lecithin, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Citric acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Phenethyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Pentylene glycol, Tocopherol, Aminomethyl propanol, Disodium edta, Linalyl acetate, Chlorogenic acids, Sodium ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Ethyl linoleate inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of a lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of acne vulgaris
- Topical Glucose Induces Claudin-1 and Filaggrin Expression in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis and in Keratinocyte Culture, Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects by Repairing Skin Barrier Function
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenethyl Alcohol
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts