Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum

Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
2.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Does Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum:

  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Lightweight moisturizer ideal for oily skin and a humectant boost for any skincare routine

According to CreamScan analysis, Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propanediol (est. ≈50.0%), Pentylene Glycol (est. ≈22.0%) and Betaine (est. ≈6.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

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

Some anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈10.0%), 
 or Vitamin C, a popular ingredient, yet with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy, as confirmed by a single clinical study involving 20 participants (Humbert et al.). This study showed that a cream with a relatively high concentration of 5% ascorbic acid reduced the average wrinkle depth by 7% after 6 months of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without ascorbic acid).
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

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

Rich in skin-protecting antioxidants

We estimate that Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈10.0%), Alpha-Arbutin (est. ≈3.0%) and Ferulic Acid (est. ≈2.9%).

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
50
22
10
6
3
2.9
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Alpha-Arbutin
Function:
Origin:
Ferulic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Lactic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
78.6
50
22
6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 78.6 10
10.0
50
22
6
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
50
22
6
0.3
0.3
All humectants 78.6 10
10
All humectants
78.6
50
22
6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
2.5 /10 5 10 2.5
Total
2.5
Ascorbic Acid
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
10
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
10
3
2.9
All antioxidants 15.9 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
15.9
Ascorbic Acid
10
Alpha-Arbutin
3
Ferulic Acid
2.9
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Propanediol
Est. %50
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Ascorbic Acid
Est. %10
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.

Betaine
Est. %6
Function
Origin
BetaineAn ingredient derived from the sucrose in sugar beets. It has a negative chemical charge and a positive chemical charge on the same molecule. This allows betaine to be hygroscopic or humectant and thus provide moisturization by drawing water to the skin.
Alpha-Arbutin
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Alpha-Arbutin
Ferulic Acid
Est. %2.9
Function
Origin
Ferulic AcidA plant-based phenolic acid with powerful and scientifically proven antioxidant properties. It enhances the effects of vitamins C and E, as well as the UV protective effects of sunscreens.
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Fruit Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Fruit Extract
Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract
Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Lactic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactic AcidThe most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.