Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C
Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside + 2 moreWorks well
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid, adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside.
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 toneAscorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“radiance”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
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: ascorbyl glucoside.
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.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Hyaluronic acid + 7 moreWorks
“hyaluronic acid”
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, hyaluronic acid.
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: dimethicone.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic 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).
The following ingredients - ascorbyl glucoside also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Ascorbic acid, Limonene + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ascorbyl glucoside~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 Ascorbyl glucosideHyaluronic acid~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidDimethicone~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropylene glycol~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~2.7–4.1%
- 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 GlycerinAscorbic acid10%
- 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 acidCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerAscorbyl glucoside~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 Ascorbyl glucosideLauroyl lysine~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineBoron nitride~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideHydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
More about Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidAdenosine~0.45–1.05%
- 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 AdenosineHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidLimonene~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCitrus limon peel oil~0.1–0.4%
Citral~0.1–0.35%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateIngredient list view
Ascorbyl glucoside, Hyaluronic acid, Dimethicone, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbic acid, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Ascorbyl glucoside, Lauroyl lysine, Boron nitride, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Limonene, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Citral, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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.
| Kiehl'sPowerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin CYOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisDerm Intensives Vitamin C Face Serum | La Roche-PosayPure Vitamin C12 Serum | GarnierVitamin-C Night Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 92% | 84% |
| Price | $130.00 | $24.25−$105.75 | $42.64−$87.36 | $12.17−$117.83 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | — | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX The Vitamin C 23 SerumSkin Republic Vitamin C 6% & Alpha Arbutin 1.5% Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.