Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum

Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum
5.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
1.8 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
6.8Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Results you may expect from using Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10.
  • Significant anti-wrinkle efficacy. With an anti-wrinkle rating of 6.8 out of 10, Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum is effective in minimizing wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum has a moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 1.8 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum has a high anti-wrinkle rating of 6.8 out of 10.

It contains 2 active ingredients with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy:

  • Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%),
     one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.
  • Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈1.5%),
     or Vitamin C, a popular anti-wrinkle ingredient, yet with average efficacy confirmed by only one study.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
Water
6
Glycerin
4
Niacinamide
3
Dimethicone
2
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
1.5
Ascorbic Acid
1.3
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
1
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Xylitylglucoside
0.3
Anhydroxylitol
0.3
Xylitol
0.3
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Undecane
0.3
Xanthan Gum
0.3
Tridecane
0.3
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
0.3
Sodium Hydroxide
0.3
Tin Oxide
0.3
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
0.3
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Xylitylglucoside
Function:
Origin:
Anhydroxylitol
Function:
Origin:
Xylitol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Undecane
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Tridecane
Function:
Origin:
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Tin Oxide
Function:
Origin:
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Function:
Origin:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
11.9
6
4
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
3.6
3.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 11.9 10
10.0
6
4
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 3.6 20
1.8
3.0
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 11.9 10
10
All humectants
11.9
6
4
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 3.6 20
1.8
All occlusives
3.6
3.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 4 6
2.5 /10 5 1.5 0.8
Total
6.8
Niacinamide
6
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
4
Ascorbic Acid
0.8
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
1.5
Anti-wrinkle rating
6.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
4
1.5
1
0.3
All antioxidants 6.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
6.8
Niacinamide
4
Ascorbic Acid
1.5
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
1
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
4
All soothing 4 5 No
All soothing
4
4
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Niacinamide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Dimethicone
Est. %3
Function
Origin
DimethiconeThe most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-AlanineDescription is coming soon
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Ascorbic Acid

Also known as vitamin C, this multi-benefit ingredient has proven anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-pigmentation efficacy. It degrades easily when exposed to air and light, so it requires proper packaging to maintain its stability.

Pancratium Maritimum Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Pancratium Maritimum ExtractDescription is coming soon
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidA smaller-molecule version of the regular hyaluronic acid. It is a powerful humectant that absorbs into the skin and offers moisturizing, smoothing, and anti-wrinkle effects. It is also slightly anti-inflammatory and displays subtle antioxidant properties.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Xylitylglucoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
XylitylglucosideAn emollient extract from rice bran, the brown outer part of the rice kernel. It includes palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, and antioxidants such as tocopherols and γ-oryzanol.
Anhydroxylitol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AnhydroxylitolA derivative of xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol. It has humectant moisturizing properties.
Xylitol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
XylitolAn organic compound that is most well-known for its use as a sweetener that also protects your teeth from cavities. Xylitol is used in skincare as a moisturizing humectant and has been shown to improve the protective barrier function of the skin.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateDescription is coming soon
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Undecane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
UndecaneDescription is coming soon
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Tridecane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TridecaneDescription is coming soon
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateA naturally-derived ingredient common in color cosmetics such as powder eyshadows and blush. It provides a light shine and can have colors coated onto it.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Tin Oxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tin OxideA multi-functional mineral that increases the physical space a product takes up, increases the viscosity of liquid products, and, when used as an opacifying agent, makes a transparent or translucent product become opaque or solid in color.
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)One of two the most commonly used mineral sunscreens. It can absorb UV light, including UVB – which causes burning, tanning, and even skin cancer. Also used as a colorant, titanium dioxide gives a product a bright white color.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilA fatty oil expressed from sunflower seeds and one of the most commonly used oils in skincare. It has great emollient and occlusive moisturizing properties. Sunflower oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin E – an important skin antioxidant.