Works for
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Vigna radiata seed extract + 1 moreNot delivered
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, vigna radiata 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ubiquinone, Camellia sinensis extract + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Ceramide np, Glycerin + 18 moreWorks well
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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Ubiquinone, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 1 moreMay help
This product contains ubiquinone. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract + 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~40–60%
Isopentyldiol~4.7–7.1%
Dipropylene glycol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolGlycerin~2.6–3.9%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Arginine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineCarbomer~1.4–2.1%
- 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 CarbomerBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silanePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilUbiquinone~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.6%
- 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 acetateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateHydrolyzed extensin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed collagen~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed collagenHydrolyzed pea protein~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinOlea europaea fruit extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit extractSqualane~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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.
More about SqualaneButyrospermum parkii butter~0.1–0.5%
- 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 butterCeramide np~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npPropane~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractHordeum vulgare leaf extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~0.1–0.3%
Sodium pca~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractSaccharomyces/apple fruit/honey/panax ginseng root/royal jelly/sucrose ferment filtrate~0.1–0.3%
Lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus out of soybean. The fermented product helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and has anti-bacterial properties. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation and could be helpful in evening out skin tone, but studies are lacking
More about Lactobacillus/soybean ferment extractVigna radiata seed extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bean extract that in theory might help to reduce hyperpigmentation, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are missing
More about Vigna radiata seed extractGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractCamellia sinensis extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Camellia sinensis extractAscorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acidSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateBetaine~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineTrehalose~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePanthenol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDisodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Isopentyldiol, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Arginine, Carbomer, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Unknown, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl acetate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Hydrolyzed extensin, Hydrolyzed collagen, Hydrolyzed pea protein, Lecithin, Olea europaea fruit extract, Squalane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ceramide np, Propane, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Hordeum vulgare leaf extract, Unknown, Water, Sodium pca, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Saccharomyces/apple fruit/honey/panax ginseng root/royal jelly/sucrose ferment filtrate, Lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract, Vigna radiata seed extract, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Camellia sinensis extract, Ascorbic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Betaine, Trehalose, Panthenol, Disodium edta, Parfum
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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.
| SOQUVitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | FOREOSUPERCHARGED™ Triple-Action Firming Serum | Sonage SkincareNMF Hyaluronic Serum X5 | HanskinSeven Layer Ceramide Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 62% | 62% |
| Price | $18.99 | $58.99+$40.00 | $49.50+$30.51 | $14.00−$4.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 12 | 8 of 12 | 8 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate | Phytosphingosine | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: FULLight Re:dence Hyaluron Ectoin SerumJeffree Star Cosmetics Vitamin C Skin Perfecting Serum
Product summary
"SOQU - Vitamin C Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.10% - 0.35%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Ceramides (ceramide np 0.10% - 0.45%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Humectants (trehalose 0.10% - 0.35%, betaine 0.10% - 0.40%, sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.40%, sodium pca 0.10% - 0.30%, hydrolyzed collagen 0.15% - 0.60%, arginine 1.70% - 2.50% and glycerin 2.60% - 3.90%). 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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