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Image skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil
Image skincare

Image skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil

Efficacy37/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane + 6 more
Works
What the product description says
“This radiance-reviving oil blends argan, sea buckthorn and grape-seed oils to nourish and moisturize dry skin.”
Source: Image skincare

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.

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).

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~23–34%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~5.8–8.7%
Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~3.9–5.8%
Argania spinosa kernel oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~0.55–1.25%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.4–0.95%
Persea gratissima oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~0.15–0.7%
Moringa oleifera seed oil· EmollientEffect: LowA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid~4.5–6.7%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.5–1.15%
Anti-aging
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate ~1.8–2.7%
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“Visibly softens the look of fine lines”
Source: Image skincare

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.5–1.15%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateUnder-dosedBeing 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.~1.8–2.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Limonene, Linalool
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~1–1.5%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~23–34%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~4.5–6.7%est.
Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~3.9–5.8%est.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing 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.Medium~1.8–2.7%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.55–1.25%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Royal Tulip Vitamin C Facial Oil
Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Vitamin C Facial Oil
Higher efficacy · 100/10055% match
$85.00
Cerise+C Barrier Repair Oil
ARCONA Cerise+C Barrier Repair Oil
Higher efficacy · 91/10050% match
$68.00
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~23–34%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 triglyceride
Squalane~5.8–8.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Moringa oleifera seed oil~4.5–6.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Vitis vinifera seed oil~3.9–5.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil
Hippophae rhamnoides seed oil~2.7–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Hippophae rhamnoides seed oil
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.8–2.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidation

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 ascorbate
Citrus aurantium peel oil~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Citrus aurantium peel oil
Limonene~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Tocopherol~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

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 Tocopherol
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.55–1.25%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.4–0.95%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Pinene~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Pinene
Persea gratissima oil~0.15–0.7%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Linalool~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Hippophae rhamnoides seed oil, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Limonene, Tocopherol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Pinene, Persea gratissima oil, Linalool

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Image skincare
$62.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 06:16 GMT
$62.00
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Dermstore1 fl. oz
$62.00
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Image skincareVital C Hydrating Facial OilYOUR PRODUCTCirem SkincareMending Moon Moonglow Face OilBloomeffectsRoyal Tulip Vitamin C Facial OilARCONACerise+C Barrier Repair Oil
Match—55%55%50%
Price$62.00—$85.00+$23.00$68.00+$6.00
Shared key ingredients—5 of 85 of 83 of 8
Key difference—Prickly Pear Seed OilNiacinamideCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributesresearchgate.net
  2. 2
    Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamagencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacysciencedirect.com
  5. 5
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
Image skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil
Image skincareVital C Hydrating Facial Oil
Buy at Image skincare$62.00$62.00as of 11/9 06:16 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Image skincare$62.00$62.00as of 11/9 06:16 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.