Image skincare Discovery-size IMAGE MD restoring power-C serum
Works for
Anti-agingTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Acetyl zingerone + 2 moreWorks well
“With 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an ultra-concentrated, lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, it helps to fade the appearance of pigmentation and improves signs of skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl zingerone, 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.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ferulic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“With 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an ultra-concentrated, lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, it helps to fade the appearance of pigmentation and improves signs of skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.”
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: ferulic acid, lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment 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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 4 moreWorks
“A synthesis of super-antioxidants ferulic acid and acetyl zingerone help to enhance the effects of vitamin C. An optimized hyaluronic acid complex brings renewed hydration to the skin, supporting a plump, smooth and firm appearance.”
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, 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: cocos nucifera fruit extract, pentylene glycol.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Acetyl zingerone + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (acetyl zingerone, ferulic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~6.8–10.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePentylene glycol~3.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolEthoxydiglycol~2.6–3.9%
Acetyl zingerone~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound sourced from ginger root. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might be able to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve the skin tone. In small concentrations, used as a chelating agent and helps preserve stability of product formulations.
More about Acetyl zingeroneGlycerin~1.9–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinTocopherol~1.5–2.3%
- 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 TocopherolPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSclerotium gum~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumFerulic acid~0.9–1.35%
- 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 acidPolyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate1,2-hexanediol~0.45–1%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.8%
Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Obtained from fermenting a plant extract with bacteria Lactobacillus. The resulting compound might be able to calm down inflammation and have some anti-oxidant properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extractCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilPelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilLimonene~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitronellol~0.1–0.4%
Geraniol~0.1–0.35%
Linalool~0.05–0.25%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateLactobacillus~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-living ingredient made by fermentation with the bacteria Lactobacillus. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help reduce inflammation
More about LactobacillusCocos nucifera fruit extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera fruit extractIngredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Pentylene glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Acetyl zingerone, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium gum, Ferulic acid, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Lactobacillus, Cocos nucifera fruit extract
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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.
| Image skincareDiscovery-size IMAGE MD restoring power-C serumYOUR PRODUCT | marie veroniqueC-Therapy Serum | Peter Thomas RothPotent-C™ Vitamin C Power Serum | MUTHANo.1 Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 60% | 59% |
| Price | $115.00 | $120.00+$5.00 | $64.97−$50.03 | $153.93+$38.93 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Jojoba Esters | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Resist Super Antioxidant SerumGlow Jar 8% AM Vitamin C Serum
Product summary
"Image skincare - Discovery-size IMAGE MD restoring power-C serum" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.35% - 0.85% and glycerin 1.90% - 2.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 69.00$ up to 115.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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