MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Review

MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid
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 MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid has to offer:
 
✅ Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
✅ Modest anti-wrinkle efficacy: MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid:
 

🔵 Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid 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, due to the high content of Propanediol (est. ≈52.6%), Urea (est. ≈12.6%) and Diglycerin (est. ≈4.6%).

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.

❗️ 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.

💧 A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

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.

🟣 Modest Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid has a modest level of anti-wrinkle efficacy, rated 2.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈20.0%),
 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 additional 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 MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈20.0%), Ferulic Acid (est. ≈6.8%) and Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract (est. ≈3.4%).

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.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
Offers modest anti-wrinkle efficacy
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants
   

Summary: MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid
, when used alone, delivers lightweight, humectant-rich moisturizing, making it ideal for oily skin. As part of a moisturizing routine, it provides a humectant boost, beneficial for all skin types.
 
MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid contains ingredients with proven evidence of anti-wrinkle efficacy that may provide a modest anti-wrinkle effect. As a result, you can expect a positive, though not very significant, impact on wrinkles.
 
With its high antioxidant content, MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.
 
That said, there are some things about MATTER OF FACT BRIGHTENING + FIRMING SERUM with 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid worth noting.
 
Looking at its moisturizing profile, we found that it doesn’t contain any occlusive ingredients, potentially allowing the moisture attracted to the skin by humectants to evaporate. Therefore, if it’s used as the only moisturizer in a routine, it’s recommended to pair it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
52.6
20
12.6
6.8
4.6
3.4
Est. %
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Urea
Function:
Origin:
Ferulic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Diglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
69.8
52.6
12.6
4.6
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 69.8 10
10.0
52.6
12.6
4.6
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
52.6
12.6
4.6
All humectants 69.8 10
10
All humectants
69.8
52.6
12.6
4.6
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 20 2.5
Total
2.5
Ascorbic Acid
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
20
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
20
6.8
3.4
All antioxidants 30.2 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
30.2
Ascorbic Acid
20
Ferulic Acid
6.8
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
3.4
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Propanediol
Est. %52.6
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.
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %20
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.

Urea
Est. %12.6
Function
Origin
UreaUrea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Ferulic Acid
Est. %6.8
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.
Diglycerin
Est. %4.6
Function
Origin
DiglycerinA powerful humectant that collects moisture, making skin feel hydrated and supple. Diglycerin is less sticky and a stronger humectant, but slower absorbing than standard glycerin.
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Est. %3.4
Function
Origin
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract