Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Saccharide isomerate + 4 moreStrong evidence
“Vitamin C Moisturiser”
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, saccharide isomerate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidStrong evidence
“Niacinamide: known as Vitamin B3, will help to improve skin tone, dullness and the appearance of fine lines.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.
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.
Anti-agingNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidStrong evidence
“After 4 weeks: The appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced. Skin feels firmer.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.2–9.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideDodecane~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePropanediol~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about Propanediol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidGlycerin~1.5–2.3%
- 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 acrylates copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerSaccharide isomerate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.8–1.25%
- 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 crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTocopheryl acetate~0.4–1%
- 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 acetateTriethyl citrate~0.35–0.8%
Lecithin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Parfum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.15–0.55%
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.4%
Sodium polyglutamate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractBiosaccharide gum-4~0.05–0.2%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dodecane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Glycerin, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Saccharide isomerate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethyl citrate, Lecithin, Benzoic acid, Parfum, Disodium edta, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium polyglutamate, Sodium hydroxide, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Biosaccharide gum-4, Citric acid, Sodium citrate
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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.
| OptimumVitamin C MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | BlissBright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Moisturizer | Esmi Skin MineralsBrightening Moisturiser | Crystal ClearSuperboosters - Radiance Enhance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 87% | 85% |
| Price | $20.04 | $28.00+$7.96 | $55.48+$35.44 | $66.83+$46.79 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 | Passion Fruit Oil | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Optimum - Vitamin C Moisturiser" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Glycerin, saccharide isomerate and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Caprylic/capric triglyceride and caprylyl glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.80% - 4.20%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 14.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
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