Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% Review

Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%
2.6
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.6 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.6 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 5.3 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%) and Ethoxydiglycol (est. ≈2.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

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.

A Humectant Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

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

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈6.0%).

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.

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: Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% 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 Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% 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.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does 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.

Pros & Cons of Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16%

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Minimalist Vitamin C + E + Ferulic 16% to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides moderate humectant moisturizing suitable for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • 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
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
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:
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Ethoxydiglycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Gluconate
Function:
Origin:
Ferulic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Coceth-7
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
Function:
Origin:
Fullerenes
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
PVP
Function:
Origin:
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
5.3
3
2
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5.3 10
5.3
3
2
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
2
0.3
All humectants 5.3 10
5.3
All humectants
5.3
3
2
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
n/a
- 6 -
Total
0
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
6
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
6
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 6.6 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
6.6
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
6
Ferulic Acid
0.3
Tocopheryl Acetate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
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. %6
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.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Dimethyl IsosorbideA solvent for active ingredients that is claimed to help them better penetrate the outer layer of skin. It also helps to reduce the thickness of a product.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Ethoxydiglycol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
EthoxydiglycolA type of alcohol with humectant moisturizing properties. It also acts as a solvent, since it mixes well with a variety of other compounds, including water and even some oils.
Sodium Citrate
Est. %1.5
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.
Citric Acid
Est. %1.3
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.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Sodium Gluconate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium GluconateA chelating ingredient that ensures that the harmful metal ions in a formula are unreactive. It also protects other ingredients from degrading.
Ferulic Acid
Est. %0.3
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.
Coceth-7
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Coceth-7
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.
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
Fullerenes
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Fullerenes
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
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.

Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
PVP
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PVPAn excellent film-former used in hairsprays, peel-off masks, and even some self-tanning products. These films are strong and hold onto the skin.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateA chelating agent that disables harmful heavy metal ions present in skincare.