PRODUCT REVIEW
PCA SKIN C and E Strength Max
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-oxidation
- Moisturizing
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Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $119.00
More options from: $119.00
Price as of 2/11/2023 2:36 GMT.
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Works for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
C&E Strength is a combination of pure 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 5% tocopherol (vitamin E).
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
tocopherol
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
retinyl palmitate
0.05% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Formulated with an advanced blend of 20% stabilised vitamin C and 5% vitamin E, this corrective anti-ageing cream works to reduce the appearance of dark spots, neutralise free radicals and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
retinyl palmitate
0.05% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Moisturizing
ethylhexyl hydroxystearate
3.9% -
5.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from it
polymethylsilsesquioxane
4.8% -
7.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
cyclopentasiloxane
23% -
35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
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Anti-oxidation
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
tocopherol
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
bisabolol
0.15% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
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
citrus aurantium dulcis oil
0.85% -
1.3%
Irritation risk:
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
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Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
tocopherol
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-inflammatory
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
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
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
Show more
Potential irritants
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
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
citrus aurantium dulcis oil
0.85% -
1.3%
Irritation risk:
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
cyclopentasiloxane
23% -
35%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Mattifying,
Moisturizing
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
ascorbic acid
8.1% -
12.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
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
polymethylsilsesquioxane
4.8% -
7.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
Show more
Ingredient list view
Cyclopentasiloxane, Ascorbic acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, Polysilicone-11, Tocopherol, Hordeum distichon extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Phellodendron amurense bark extract, Santalum album wood extract, Bisabolol, Retinyl palmitate
Sources
- Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe
- Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenes
- Phellodendron amurense Bark Extract
- Synergistic topical application of salt-processed Phellodendron amurense and Sanguisorba officinalis Linne alleviates atopic dermatitis symptoms by reducing levels of immunoglobulin E and pro-inflammatory cytokines in NC/Nga mice