Farmacy Beauty 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Alpha-arbutin + 2 moreWorks well
“A first-of-its-kind, this waterless vitamin C serum visibly brightens, targets dark spots + reduces hyperpigmentation.”
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 alpha-arbutin. 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: ferulic 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.
MoisturizingBetaine, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks
“Upcycled tangerine peel + sugar beet (betaine) boost skin’s moisture for a radiant, recharged complexion.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, 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).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ferulic acidWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Ascorbic acid, Ferulic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Key Ingredients, 10% L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) The purest, most powerful form of vitamin C visibly brightens, evens skin tone, firms + improves skin's elasticity, 1% Alpha Arbutin Brightening active that targets dark spots and helps visibly even tone., Ferulic Acid Powerful antioxidant that targets dark spots + reduces hyperpigmentation while enhancing the efficacy of vitamin C + brightens the skin's complexion., Upcycled Tangerine Peel + Sugar Beet (Betaine) Antioxidant-rich, hydrate + enhance the skin's moisture barrier.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ferulic 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara fruit extract, Citrus reticulata fruit extract + 1 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~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPentylene glycol~6.8–10.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAscorbic acid~4.5–6.8%
- 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 acidBetaine~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineAlpha-arbutin~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinFerulic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidCitrus aurantium amara fruit extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus reticulata fruit extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium sinensis peel extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycerin~0.35–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinLactic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidCitric acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, Ascorbic acid, Betaine, Alpha-arbutin, Ferulic acid, Citrus aurantium amara fruit extract, Citrus reticulata fruit extract, Citrus aurantium sinensis peel extract, Glycerin, Lactic acid, Citric acid
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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.
| Farmacy Beauty10% Waterless Vitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Standard BeautyPigmentation Buster Serum: Vitamin C, Alpha Arbutin & Ferulic Acid | JUMISOAll Day Vitamin Pure C 5.5 Glow Serum | Pura d'or20% Vitamin C Serum For Eyes and Face | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 92% | 91% |
| Price | $5.00 | — | $6.75+$1.75 | $15.19+$10.19 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Sunflower Seed Oil | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Biovene VITAMIN C 27% SERUMPoems from the Lab Future Focus Vitamin C Serum
Product summary
"Farmacy Beauty - 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 4.50% - 6.80% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.35% - 0.80% and betaine 3.10% - 4.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Farmacy Beauty" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 64.00CA$ in Canada, from 15.00$ up to 50.00$ in the United States and from 48.00£ up to 71.50£ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
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