Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acidWorks well
“Boosts brightness for dull skin (usually within 48 hours) Fades dark spots/sun spots (within a single bottle) Boosts natural collagen production for bouncy, youthful skin (immediately) Protects skin from age-accelerating stressors”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
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.
Evens skin toneAscorbic acidWorks well
“Boosts brightness for dull skin (usually within 48 hours) Fades dark spots/sun spots (within a single bottle) Boosts natural collagen production for bouncy, youthful skin (immediately) Protects skin from age-accelerating stressors”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: 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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Tocopheryl acetateWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Caprylyl glycolWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Hamamelis virginiana water~6.1–9.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterAscorbic acid~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Ascorbic acidGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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 GlycerinTocopheryl acetate~1.9–2.9%
- 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 acetateAlcohol~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholVanilla planifolia fruit extract~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractPassiflora incarnata fruit extract~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.6%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~0.1–0.45%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Ascorbic acid, Glycerin, Tocopheryl acetate, Alcohol, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Passiflora incarnata fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| ProtocolVitamin C SuperserumYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeSkin Renewing Vitamin C Serum | NuFaceLifter Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum S3 | CliniqueFresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C 10% 4 Boosters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 96% | 96% |
| Price | — | $20.99 | — | $82.47 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Teami Blends Hibiscus Infused Vitamin C SerumLa Roche-Posay Redermic C10 Moisturiser
Product summary
"Protocol - Vitamin C Superserum" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 4.10% - 6.20% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- Humectants (glycerin 2.70% - 4.00%). 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 1 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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