Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 1 moreWorks
“Contains moisturizing hyaluronic acid and HSF.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Reduces uneven pigmentation, tightens the skin and protects against free radicals for a youthful and healthy-looking complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-agingSodium ascorbyl phosphateNot delivered
“Reduces uneven pigmentation, tightens the skin and protects against free radicals for a youthful and healthy-looking complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-blemishSodium ascorbyl phosphate ~2.6–3.8%Under-dosed
“Vitamin C Essence has a positive effect on elasticity, pigmentation and combats free radicals and pimple-inducing bacteria.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Glycerin~4.6–6.9%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSodium ascorbyl phosphate~2.6–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateCitric acid~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hyaluronate
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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.
| Tomorrow LabsVitamin C EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | TypologyRadiance Toner — with 2% Vitamin C + Lemon Verbena Water | Pixiskintreats Vitamin Wakeup Mist | June Jacobs SpaJune Jacobs Elastin Collagen Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | — | $22.90 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient MistMAKETHEMAKE Melon Moisture Mist
Product summary
"Tomorrow Labs - Vitamin C Essence" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.30% and glycerin 4.60% - 6.90%). 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
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