Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"Perricone MD - Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.95% - 1.15%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 0% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Perricone MD" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 5.00£ up to 61.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 60.00$ up to 75.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
This light and refreshing herbal-citrus vitamin C serum for face features Vitamin C Ester, a more potent and less irritating form of vitamin C. This serum promotes the appearance of collagen-rich skin by visibly smoothing, brightening and minimising discolouration.
Source: Allbeauty
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ferulic acid, tocotrienols.
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
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
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, tocotrienols) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
This light and refreshing herbal-citrus vitamin C serum for face features Vitamin C Ester, a more potent and less irritating form of vitamin C. This serum promotes the appearance of collagen-rich skin by visibly smoothing, brightening and minimising discolouration.
Source: Allbeauty
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
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: ferulic acid, stearyl glycyrrhetinate.
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
This potent and best Vitamin C serum also contains squalane and rosemary leaf extract to hydrate, visibly reduce fine lines and tighten the appearance of skin.
Source: Allbeauty
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:
sodium hyaluronate, sorbitol.
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: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, squalane.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
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
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Chia Cleansing Balm Cleanses, replenishes, and nourishes for radiant, healthier-looking complexion.
Source: Feelunique
This product contains ingredients (rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 81/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (1)
Averages from community submissions.
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
How would you describe the texture?
How much does it pill under makeup?
How much does this product clog pores?
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum | Current | $5.00 | |
 Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C™ Vitamin C Power Serum | 61% | - | |
 Paula's choice Resist - Anti-Aging Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum | 56% | $220.00 | |
skinmade Vitamin C E + Alpha Arbutin serum | 56% | $25.49 | |
 MUTHA No.1 Serum | 56% | $115.00 | |
Dr. Sam Bunting FLAWLESS VITAMIN C NAD+ SERUM | 56% | $93.00 |
Key Actives
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Potential irritants
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
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
Ingredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Caprylyl methicone, Hydrogenated lecithin, Behenyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Squalane, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Ferulic acid, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan gum, Beta-glucan, Parfum, Sorbitol, Limonene, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Disodium edta, Elaeis guineensis oil, Tocotrienols, Linalool, Tocopherol, Citral, Citronellol
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses
- Ferulic Acid: Therapeutic Potential Through Its Antioxidant Property
- Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin
- Antioxidant Properties of Ferulic Acid and Its Possible Application
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- β-Glucans: Multi-Functional Modulator of Wound Healing
- Anti-Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta-Glucan
- Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta-Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms: A Review
- Anticancer properties of low molecular weight oat beta-glucan – An in vitro study
- A critical review on production and industrial applications 2 of beta-glucans
- Improving skin function with CM-glucan, a biological response modifier from yeast
- Preparation, characterization, and biological properties of β-glucans
- Characterization of a new beta(1-3)-glucan branching activity of Aspergillus fumigatus
- Genetic Architecture of Palm Oil Fatty Acid Composition in Cultivated Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Compared to Its Wild Relative E. oleifera (H.B.K) Cortés
- Nutrient composition of Nigerian palm kernel from the dura and tenera varieties of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
- Safety Assessment of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols as Used in Cosmetics
- Tocotrienol‐rich fraction attenuates UV‐induced inflammaging: A bench to bedside study
- Tocotrienols: Vitamin E beyond tocopherols
- Clinical evaluation of photoprotective effect by a topical antioxidants combination (tocopherols and tocotrienols)
- Tocotrienols: the unsaturated sidekick shifting new paradigms in vitamin E therapeutics
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health