Educational guide
Vivier Pharma C E Peptides Versus ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating
Vivier Pharma C E Peptides Versus ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This brightening serum is formulated around A
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Vivier Pharma C E Peptides Versus ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ascorbic Acid 10%
Pentylene Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
Water
Polysorbate 20
Ethoxydiglycol
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Polysorbate 60
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Citrus Grandis Extract
Tocopherol
Parfum
Glycerin
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Lysine Hcl
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Ascorbic Acid 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Water, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Grandis Extract, Tocopherol, Parfum, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Lysine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Ascorbic Acid
Dimethicone
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Squalane
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Ubiquinone
Limonene
Citral
Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Limonene, Citral, Phenoxyethanol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.