Works for
Anti-agingGlycine soja seed extract, Tocopherol + 4 moreNot delivered
“The world's highest source of vitamin C, stimulates collagen synthesis and enhances vitamin C effectiveness in the skin”
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 - glycine soja seed extract - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneGlycine soja seed extract, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate + 2 moreNot delivered
“A stable, no-sting vitamin C to visibly lighten brown sun spots and post-breakout discoloration to reveal brighter, more even-toned skin.”
This product contains ingredients (glycine soja seed extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Dimethicone + 10 moreWorks
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, butylene glycol.
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: dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus grandis peel oil + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilDimethicone~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlycerin~3–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinDiethylhexyl succinate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Diethylhexyl succinatePpg-12/smdi copolymer~2–2.5%
Tocopheryl linoleate/oleate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateCetyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholTocopheryl acetate~0.95–1.2%
- 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 acetateBioflavonoids~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractAscorbic acid~0.45–0.7%
- 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 acidAscorbyl methylsilanol pectinate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of pectin and vitamin C. It might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Helps create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinateGlycine soja seed extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractTocopherol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about TocopherolAscorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateRosa canina fruit oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilButyrospermum parkii butter~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterButylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Peg-8~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerCarbomer~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerXanthan gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMethylpropanediol~0.2–0.35%
Phytic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPotassium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCitrus grandis peel oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilCitrus limon peel oil~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl succinate, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Tocopheryl linoleate/oleate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Cetyl alcohol, Tocopheryl acetate, Bioflavonoids, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, Glycine soja seed extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Rosa canina fruit oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-8, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Methylpropanediol, Phytic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus grandis peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil
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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.
| Renee RouleauVitamin C&E TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | Adorn CosmeticsSkin Radiance + Brightening Vitamin C 20% Serum | OARS + ALPSWake Up Face Serum | CeraVeSkin Renewing Vitamin C Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 79% | 79% |
| Price | $72.50 | — | $49.00−$23.50 | $20.99−$51.51 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Beta-Glucan | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Laboratoire ACM Duolys.CE Intensive Antioxidant SerumLa Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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