Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 4 moreWorks
“Vitamin C Complex , Hydrates & evens skin tone while fading dark spots & hyperpigmentation.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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-agingRetinyl palmitate ~0.05–0.1%Under-dosed
“Retinol , Stimulates collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles Hyaluronic Acid , Smooths skin's texture and enhances moisture content, boosting radiance.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneRetinyl palmitate ~0.05–0.1%Under-dosed
“Vitamin C Complex , Hydrates & evens skin tone while fading dark spots & hyperpigmentation.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.5–6.7%
- 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 GlycerinSodium ascorbyl phosphate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateAscorbyl methylsilanol pectinate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of pectin and vitamin C. It might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Helps create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinateSodium hyaluronate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCarbomer~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerXanthan gum~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethyl mea~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceOleth-20~0.55–1.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Edta~0.2–0.7%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCitric acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractHydrolyzed milk protein~0.05–0.2%
Retinyl palmitate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, Sodium hyaluronate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Dimethyl mea, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Oleth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Potassium sorbate, Edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Unknown, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Hydrolyzed milk protein, Retinyl palmitate
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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.
| MaryAnn OrganicsVitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Live No B.S.Vitamin C + E Serum | HydroPeptideFirma-Bright | Skin Functional5% Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate Inflamed Red Blemishes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 65% | 65% |
| Price | — | — | $138.00 | $15.06 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Ferulic Acid | Niacinamide | Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: June Jacobs Spa June Jacobs Elastin Collagen SerumDr. David Jack Good Morning Vitamin C Serum
Product summary
"MaryAnn Organics - Vitamin C Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.05% - 0.10%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 2.00% - 3.00% and glycerin 4.50% - 6.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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