Nature's Way

Nature's Way Hydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid Serum Plus Vitamin C

Name: Nature's Way - Hydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid Serum Plus Vitamin C
Brand: Nature's Way

Efficacy41/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca + 2 more

Works

What the product description says

“Water-plumping technology creates in-depth hydration to visibly fill in wrinkles.”

Source: Walgreens

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca.

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).

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~25–38%

Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~1.2–1.8%

Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: LowCan 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~0.55–1.25%

Cucumis sativus fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect~0.35–0.85%

Anti-aging

Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate

Not delivered

What the product description says

“A powerful facial therapy formula that dramatically reduces signs of aging.”

Source: Walgreens

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - camellia sinensis leaf extract - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.

This ingredient camellia sinensis leaf extract might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateEffect: Low, below effective doseA 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~2–3%

Evens skin tone

Camellia sinensis leaf extract

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Sking lightener: Visibly brightens complexion while reducing the size and intensity of age spots.”

Source: Walgreens

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract + 1 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

Camellia sinensis leaf extractKey activeEffect: MediumCan 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~0.55–1.25%

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateUnder-dosedA 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~2–3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

6 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Lavandula angustifolia extract + 4 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~5.2–7.9%est.

Lavandula angustifolia extractUsed for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skinHigh~3.2–4.8%est.

Sd alcohol 40-a—High~1.2–1.8%est.

Citrus grandis fruit extract—High~0.55–1.25%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis flower extract—High~0.1–0.4%est.

Anthemis nobilis flower extractA plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

Lavandula angustifolia flower extractEssential oil that can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.5%est.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA 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 CMedium~2–3%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1.7–2.5%est.

Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~0.35–0.85%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Macrocystis pyrifera extract—3/5~0.05–0.2%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

June Jacobs Spa June Jacobs Elastin Collagen Serum

Higher efficacy · 91/10069% match

Dr. David Jack Good Morning Vitamin C Serum

Higher efficacy · 100/10063% match

$118.98

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Sodium hyaluronate~25–38%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Water~13–19%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Alcohol denat.~5.2–7.9%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.

Lavandula angustifolia extract~3.2–4.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skin

More about Lavandula angustifolia extract

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~2–3%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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 phosphate

Citric acid~1.7–2.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Sodium pca~1.2–1.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca

Sd alcohol 40-a~1.2–1.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Sd alcohol 40-a

Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.55–1.25%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus grandis fruit extract

Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.55–1.25%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-blemish

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 extract

Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.35–0.85%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect

More about Cucumis sativus fruit extract

Pollen extract~0.35–0.85%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Pollen extract

Citrus aurantium dulcis flower extract~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis flower extract

Anthemis nobilis flower extract~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritating

More about Anthemis nobilis flower extract

Macrocystis pyrifera extract~0.05–0.2%

Comedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

More about Macrocystis pyrifera extract

Lavandula angustifolia flower extract~0.1–0.5%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Essential oil that can be irritating

More about Lavandula angustifolia flower extract

Ingredient list view

Sodium hyaluronate, Water, Alcohol denat., Lavandula angustifolia extract, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Citric acid, Sodium pca, Sd alcohol 40-a, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Pollen extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis flower extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Macrocystis pyrifera extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Nature's WayHydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid Serum Plus Vitamin CYOUR PRODUCT	June Jacobs SpaJune Jacobs Elastin Collagen Serum	Dr. David JackGood Morning Vitamin C Serum	Live No B.S.Vitamin C + E Serum
Match	—	69%	63%	63%
Price	—	—	$118.98	—
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 4	3 of 4	3 of 4
Key difference	—	Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7	Niacinamide	Ferulic Acid
Irritancy	High	Medium	Low	Medium
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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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.

Nature's WayHydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid Serum Plus Vitamin C

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