ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateWorks well
“Ascorbic acid (10%) Exfoliates skin surface pigmentation for a more even tone and brighter complexion”
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-agingAscorbic acid, Ubiquinone + 1 moreWorks well
“Provides a potent dose of vitamin C that brightens and redefines skin, promoting a more even skin tone and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
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.
MoisturizingCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone crosspolymer + 3 moreWorks
“Wrinkles and fine lines are minimised and the skin’s natural barrier is supported and restored.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, squalane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Ascorbic acid (10%) Exfoliates skin surface pigmentation for a more even tone and brighter complexion”
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ubiquinone + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara peel oil, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
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Cyclopentasiloxane~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone crosspolymer~8.2–12.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerAscorbic acid~5.1–7.7%
- 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 acidDimethicone~4.2–6.3%
- 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 DimethiconeCitrus aurantium amara peel oil~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Squalane~2.5–3.8%
- 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 SqualaneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.3–1.9%
- 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 ascorbateTocopheryl acetate~0.9–1.3%
- 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 acetateUbiquinone~0.45–1.05%
- 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 UbiquinoneLimonene~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitral~0.15–0.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Ascorbic acid, Dimethicone, Citrus aurantium amara peel oil, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Ubiquinone, Limonene, Citral, 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.
| ZO Skin Health10% Vitamin C Self-ActivatingYOUR PRODUCT | NEOGEN X SUR.MEDICDermalogy Lemon Bright PHA Gauze Peeling | SkinCeuticalsC+AHA | Cipher SkincareC-Shield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 67% | 67% |
| Price | $112.00 | $21.25−$90.75 | $138.00+$26.00 | $135.00+$23.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 6 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Glycolic Acid | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Acid Firming Serum | Dr. Dennis GrossBy Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic Acid
Product summary
"ZO Skin Health - 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating" is effective for: Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 5.10% - 7.70% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
Price
The product retails for 81.99£ in the United Kingdom and for 112.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
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