First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
1.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.9 Humectancy icon Humectancy
2.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Does First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum work?

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

  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.4 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? This product has relatively comparable levels of Humectancy and Occlusivity: a low Humectancy of 0.9 out of 10 and a low Occlusivity of 2.0 out of 10.

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

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

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, two ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

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 First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈10.0%) and Tocopheryl Acetate (est. ≈2.0%).

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
10
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Colloidal Oatmeal
Function:
Origin:
Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
4.0
4.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.9 10
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 4.0 20
2.0
4.0
Moisturizing rating
1.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 0.9 10
0.9
All humectants
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
4
All occlusives 4.0 20
2.0
All occlusives
4.0
4.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 10 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
10
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
10
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 14.1 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
14.1
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
10
Tocopheryl Acetate
2
Colloidal Oatmeal
1.5
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 3.4 5 No
All soothing
3.4
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
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.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Est. %10
Function
Origin
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidA derivative of vitamin C. Its stability in skincare formulations is better than ascorbic acid’s, although clinical studies are yet to indicate whether it has the same collagen-boosting benefits.
Squalane
Est. %4
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Sodium Citrate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Colloidal Oatmeal
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Colloidal OatmealAn active ingredient produced by boiling finely milled oats. It contains wound healing beta-glucan and is a rich source of soothing and antioxidant avenanthramides, which are aimed at irritated skin.
Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) ExtractA soothing extract obtained from the Feverfew plant with alleged beneficial effects on skin inflammation and psoriasis.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

An antioxidant green tea extract. In the deeper layers, it slows down the destruction of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – thus delaying the signs of aging. It also acts as an anti-acne, soothing, moisturizing, and emollient ingredient.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
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.
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
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.
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.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
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.

Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.