Dr. Althea
A few drops of a fluid almost as runny as water, which disappear as soon as you press them onto the cheeks. No citrus smell, no sticky feel before the morning cream. A serum designed for anyone who put their vitamin C away at the back of a drawer after a bad experience.
A gentle vitamin C serum, built around a stable derivative
The vitamin C used here is not pure ascorbic acid, very effective but temperamental: it oxidises in the air, turns brown and stings thin skin. Dr. Althea prefers a derivative that is stable in the bottle, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid. The trade-off is well known: the skin converts only part of it into active vitamin C. So expect a radiance that builds over the weeks, not a spectacular overnight effect.
Two ingredients support it. Niacinamide, fourth on the list, helps even out the look of the complexion and visually soften small dark spots. Sea buckthorn fruit extract, a berry naturally rich in vitamin C, brings an antioxidant note. Green tea and allantoin keep the formula comfortable, across a fragrance-free list of nineteen ingredients.
How to use
In the morning, after the cleanser and toner, place a few drops in the palm of your hand and press them onto the face. Follow with your cream and then sun protection, which preserves the radiance you are after. The serum can also be used in the evening. If your evening routine already contains a retinol or an exfoliating acid, keep the vitamin C for the morning rather than layering everything. Start with every other day if your skin is reactive.
Which skin is it for
It suits dull or uneven complexions, small pigment spots and sensitive skin that has tolerated a concentrated ascorbic acid poorly. However, if you are after a fast action on marked spots, this gradual serum may seem slow. Test it first on a small area if you have ever reacted to niacinamide.
Product details
- Size: 30 ml
- Brand: Dr. Althea, to discover in the Dr. Althea collection
- Product type: vitamin C face serum, water-based texture
- Ingredients (INCI): Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated C6-20 Polyolefin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
- Country of manufacture: South Korea
- Precautions for use: external use only. Avoid the immediate eye area. Do not apply to broken skin. Stop if redness or a feeling of heat occurs. Close the bottle after use and keep it away from light and heat, out of the reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Is it pure vitamin C?
No. It is a stable derivative, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid. It is better tolerated and keeps better, but it acts more slowly than a pure ascorbic acid.
Will the serum change colour?
This derivative oxidises far less than the pure form. Close the bottle well and keep it away from the sun.
Can I combine it with niacinamide or a retinol?
Niacinamide is already in the formula, so no problem there. For retinol, keep the vitamin C for the morning and the retinol for the evening.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
That is its raison d'être: a gentle derivative, a short list, no fragrance. A reaction is still possible, hence the value of a test on a small area.
How long before I see a result?
The complexion looks fresher fairly quickly thanks to the hydrating texture. For evenness and dark spots, allow several weeks of regular use.
For a complexion that regains clarity without rushing the skin, this bottle goes well with a selection of dark spot and glow skincare, and our guide to the best Korean cosmetics helps you build the rest of the routine.
