Vitamin C Moisturizer

PrescriptSkin

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 48 ingredients (22 low-risk) rates it Excellent (89/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Emulsion
Ingredients
48
Low-risk
22
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States

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 8/7
Good for dry skin
Gluconic Acid Glyceryl Stearate Sorbitol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Dimethicone Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Glyceryl Stearate SE Stearic Acid Glycerin Salicylic Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Sodium Hydroxide PEG-100 Stearate
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 2/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Sensitive Skin 7/19
Good for sensitive skin
Spirulina Platensis Extract Glycerin Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Dimethicone Tocopheryl Acetate BHT Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Caution for sensitive skin
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract Gluconic Acid Sorbitol Stearic Acid Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Tartaric Acid Salicylic Acid Citric Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Linalool Citronellol Limonene BHT Citral Malic Acid

Ingredients list

48 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (7)
All48 Skin Conditioning27 Fragrance20 Masking11 Perfuming8 Humectant7 Buffering Agent7 Skin Protecting7 Antioxidant6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
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
A
Glyceryl Stearate SE
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Sorbitol
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Humectant, Plasticizer, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
A
PEG-100 Stearate
(Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
(Skin Conditioning)
B
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
(Skin Conditioning)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
1
3
Titanium Dioxide
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Avena sativa Kernel Extract
(Abrasive, Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
(Anti Sebum, Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
1
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
(Perfuming)
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
citrus limon peel extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic)
Humulus Lupulus Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antiperspirant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting)
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Flavouring, Fragrance, Oral Care, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Spirulina Platensis Extract
(Skin Protecting)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
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
3
4
B
Malic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
A
Gluconic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Buffering Agent, Humectant, Solvent)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
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
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
(Antioxidant, Perfuming)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous)
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
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
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
5
Citronellol
(Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
7
Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)

My Ingredient Notes

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Key ingredients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Skin Protecting, Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient

Benefits

Good for dry skin
Good for oily/acne-prone skin

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Citral — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Sorbitol
Flavoring agent, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Flavoring agentFragranceHumectantPlasticizerSkin conditioning
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Avena sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive, Antioxidant
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AbrasiveAntioxidantSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Anti sebum, Astringent
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Anti sebumAstringentSkin conditioning
salix alba bark extract
Astringent, Hair conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentHair conditioningSkin conditioningSoothingTonic
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Perfuming
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
citrus limon peel extract
Skin conditioning, Skin conditioning emollient
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin conditioning emollientSkin protectingTonic
Humulus Lupulus Extract
Antimicrobial, Antiperspirant
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntimicrobialAntiperspirantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningSkin protecting
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Flavouring, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FlavouringFragranceOral carePerfumingSkin conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking, Perfuming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A MaskingPerfumingSkin conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
+ 12 more — see the full ingredients list above
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
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Bad for Oily Skin
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Surfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A CIR B Skin conditioning Good for Sensitive Skin
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic colorant, Opacifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 1–3 Cosmetic colorantOpacifyingSunscreen agentUv absorber Good for Sensitive Skin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B AntimicrobialAntioxidantAstringentEmollientHumectantMaskingOral care agentSkin conditioningSkin protectingTonicUv absorber Good for Oily Skin
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking
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
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
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
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
+ 6 more — see the full ingredients list above

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 2 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.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

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.

3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid

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.

Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Tartaric 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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