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Weleda Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster Drops
Weleda

Weleda Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster Drops

Efficacy0/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“For refined pores & more even skin tone.Refine pores and reveal a more even, radiant complexion with Weleda’s Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum .”
Source: Content

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Anti-blemish
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate ~1–1.5%
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“For refined pores & more even skin tone.Refine pores and reveal a more even, radiant complexion with Weleda’s Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum .”
Source: Content

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateUnder-dosedA 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~1–1.5%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“For refined pores & more even skin tone.Refine pores and reveal a more even, radiant complexion with Weleda’s Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum .”
Source: Content

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Betaine + 4 more
Works

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: betaine, glycerin.

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: helianthus annuus seed oil, caprylyl glycol.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.8–5.6%
BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~1.5–2.2%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.45–1.05%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~3.6–5.4%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.05–0.2%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.8–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~3.6–5.4%est.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA 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 CMedium~1–1.5%est.
CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulationMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation3/5~0.15–0.55%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Vitamin C 10% Brightening Booster Serum
Swisse Vitamin C 10% Brightening Booster Serum
Higher efficacy · 100/10060% match
$21.04
Radiance Serum 11% Vitamin C
Typology Radiance Serum 11% Vitamin C
Higher efficacy · 75/10057% match
$33.56
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~3.8–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Pentylene glycol~3.6–5.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Pyrus malus fruit water~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Pyrus malus fruit water
Propanediol~1.9–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Betaine~1.5–2.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine
Lactobacillus/cranberry fruit ferment extract~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Lactobacillus/cranberry fruit ferment extract
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~1–1.5%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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 phosphate
Tocopherol~0.8–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Punica granatum pericarp extract~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Punica granatum pericarp extract
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.45–1.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Maclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Maclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Carrageenan~0.15–0.55%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5

Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation

More about Carrageenan
Citric acid~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Cocoyl proline~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cocoyl proline
Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Pyrus malus fruit water, Propanediol, Betaine, Lactobacillus/cranberry fruit ferment extract, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Tocopherol, Punica granatum pericarp extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Maclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids, Xanthan gum, Carrageenan, Citric acid, Cocoyl proline, Caprylyl glycol

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:18 GMT
$15.80
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
WeledaPore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster DropsYOUR PRODUCTSwisseVitamin C 10% Brightening Booster SerumTypologyRadiance Serum 11% Vitamin CHydroPeptideFirma-Bright 20% Vitamin C Booster
Match—60%57%57%
Price$15.80$21.04+$5.24$33.56+$17.76$97.91+$82.11
Shared key ingredients—3 of 50 of 52 of 5
Key difference—Niacinamide3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Weleda - Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster Drops" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (betaine 1.50% - 2.20% and glycerin 3.80% - 5.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Weleda" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 15.95£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgarisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
  4. 4
    Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmeticseuropepmc.org
  5. 5
    Regulation of collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts by the sodium and magnesium salts of ascorbyl-2-phosphatekarger.com
  6. 6
    Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatmentonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Weleda Pore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster Drops
WeledaPore Refining Vitamin C Serum Booster Drops
Buy on Amazon$15.80 · as of 11/9 03:18 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$15.80 · as of 11/9 03:18 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.