C x 3 Gold Serum

EMK Skincare

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The EMK Skincare C x 3 Gold Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 43 ingredients (25 low-risk) rates it Excellent (94/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
43
Low-risk
25
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 11/8
Good for dry skin
C13-14 Isoparaffin Glyceryl Caprylate Sorbitol Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract Ethylhexyl Palmitate Caprylyl Glycol Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Glycerin Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Glyceryl Caprylate Xanthan Gum Glycerin Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Laureth-7 Sodium Hydroxide Polysorbate 80 Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/1
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Caution for oily/acne-prone skin
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Sensitive Skin 6/11
Good for sensitive skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate Ubiquinone Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract Glycerin Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Tocopheryl Acetate
Caution for sensitive skin
Glutathione Sorbitol Ascorbyl Palmitate Ethylhexyl Palmitate Butylene Glycol Glycerin Tartaric Acid Citric Acid Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Malic Acid

Ingredients list

43 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All43 Skin Conditioning31 Fragrance16 Humectant10 Antioxidant7 Ph Adjuster6 Buffering Agent6 Solvent5 Film Forming5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
4
Gold
(Cosmetic Colorant)
1
Glutathione
(Fragrance, Reducing)
1
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Acetyl Heptapeptide-9
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
(Antioxidant, Bleaching)
1
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
(Humectant)
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
(Astringent, Refreshing, Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
(Moisturising, Skin Conditioning)
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Acer saccharum extract
(Skin Conditioning)
citrus grandis peel oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Ubiquinone
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Tartaric Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
4
B
Malic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Skin Conditioning)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous)
1
A
Ascorbyl Palmitate
(Antioxidant, Masking)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Sorbitol
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Humectant, Plasticizer, Skin Conditioning)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Perfuming)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
Polysorbate 80
(Denaturant, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
CI 75120
(Colorant)
4
B
Polyacrylamide
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Antistatic Agent, Binding)
1
B
C13-14 Isoparaffin
(Emollient, Solvent)
1
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Laureth-7
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Glyceryl Caprylate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
AHA
Exfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.
Peptides
Supports skin hydration and improves firmness.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.

Benefits

BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.
Skin TextureSmooths rough patches and refines texture.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
ASCORBIC ACID
Antioxidant, Buffering
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantBufferingFragranceSkin conditioning
Gold
Cosmetic colorant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 Cosmetic colorant
Glutathione
Fragrance, Reducing
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 FragranceReducing
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntioxidantSkin conditioning
Acetyl Heptapeptide-9
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant, Bleaching
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntioxidantBleaching
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Astringent, Refreshing
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentRefreshingSkin conditioningTonic
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Moisturising, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A MoisturisingSkin conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Acer saccharum extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
citrus grandis peel oil
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfumingSkin conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntioxidantSkin conditioning
+ 16 more — see the full ingredients list above
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantPh adjusterBuffering agent Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Tartaric Acid
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 1 FragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AntioxidantMasking Fungal-acne trigger
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B FragranceSkin conditioningEmollientPerfuming Fungal-acne trigger
Polysorbate 80
Denaturant, Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B DenaturantEmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinyl Palmitate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

ASCORBIC ACID, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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