Index / Cetaphil / Vitamin C Serum
Cetaphil

Vitamin C Serum.

Cetaphil
Vitamin C Serum
Serums

About this product

A lightweight serum combining stabilized vitamin C with niacinamide and sunflower seed oil, designed to provide antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.

Best for

Mature skin
Serums

The Guru Index verdict

73%

Approved

Approved · 73%
2Reviewers
1Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus praise Cetaphil's reputation for gentle, well-studied formulations suitable for sensitive skin across skin tones. The main split centers on efficacy: one reviewer finds the stabilized vitamin C form, niacinamide, and moisturizing base excellent for anti-aging and barrier support. Others appreciate the hydrating, non-irritating formula but question whether the stabilized vitamin C actually converts to active ascorbic acid and question whether niacinamide alone justifies the purchase if already in rotation. Consensus is the serum is safe and pleasant but not remarkably innovative.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Vitamin CNiacinamideHyaluronic acidVitamin ESPFFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Undecane, Xanthan Gum, Tridecane, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"The newer ones, like Cetaphil, Neutrogena, they've done a pretty good job with theirs, too."
All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai
The Best Affordable Vitamin C Serums!
"I'm glad they're getting into the vitamin C game and the anti-aging game because they're one of the GOATs of sensitive skin. Cetaphil has been around for a long time and they put a lot of money into studies to show that their products are tolerated well on various skin tones and skin types. This one has stabilized vitamin C, niacinamide which is a vitamin B3 analog that works great on many different aspects of our skin, the skin barrier, anti-inflammatory, regulates sebum production, reduces dark spots, and also has sunflower seed oil which is great. It's a skin conditioner, it's a moisturizer, it's very moisturizing and nourishing. So great to see those ingredients in their vitamin C serum, and so awesome and gentle. It doesn't have ascorbic acid, it's ethylated vitamin C. I like to have a leave-on serum whether in a dropper or a pump."
Overhyped Skincare Ingredients for Collagen Boosting- Dermatologist Reviews
"The newer ones, like Cetaphil, Neutrogena, they've done a pretty good job with theirs, too."
~Mixed
"Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum uses 3o ethyl ascorbic acid stable form but again the same issue like yes it's stable yes it'll get into the skin but the real question is does it convert and do what ascorbic acid is supposed to do. This also is a 30 ethyl ascorbic acid vitamin C, it's in a cream rather than a lightweight serum. This also has nice niacinamide which, as I mentioned, because we don't know if 3-ethyl ascorbic acid gets into the skin and is converted into a meaningful amount of ascorbic acid, the one who's doing the heavy lifting is niacinamide. In contrast to that serum, this has lactic acid which may get you a little bit more in terms of not only hydration but smoothing of the skin surface. This one does not have fragrance, whereas the other one does."
All 3 takes from Dr Dray
*NEW* Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum Review
"This uses a stabilized form of vitamin C that has a better chance of getting into your skin and has a better chance of remaining stable in the formulation, but question mark if it actually gets converted to the active form and if it actually does the things that ascorbic acid can do if it were formulated correctly to remain stable and get into your skin. The serum also offers niacinamide, which is a great ingredient with many benefits, but niacinamide is kind of a dime a dozen there's a good chance you're already using niacinamide in your routine. I found it very hydrating, moisturizing, pleasant to use, didn't peel under my sunscreen, didn't cause me any adverse reactions. It was wonderful and I will gladly use it up so as to not waste my money, but is it one that I feel offers me and my routine much above and beyond what I'm already using and doing? No. If you're someone who is seeking an antioxidant serum, this would be a reasonable one to try."
*NEW* Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum Review
"I found it very hydrating, moisturizing, pleasant to use. Didn't peel under my sunscreen, didn't cause me any adverse reactions. It was wonderful and I will gladly use it up so as to not waste my twenty bucks. But is it one that I feel offers me and my routine much above and beyond what I'm already using and doing? No. This is a vitamin C serum that uses a stabilized form of vitamin C that has a better chance of getting into your skin and has a better chance of remaining stable in the formulation, but if it actually gets converted to the active form and if it actually does the things that ascorbic acid can do if it were formulated correctly to remain stable and get into your skin, question mark. The serum also offers niacinamide, which is a great ingredient with many benefits, but niacinamide is kind of a dime a dozen right there. There's a good chance you're already using niacinamide in your routine. So if you're someone who is seeking an antioxidant serum, this would be a reasonable one to try."
Skincare Worth Buying At Costco This September 2024
"Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum uses 3o ethyl ascorbic acid stable form but again the same issue like yes it's stable yes it'll get into the skin but the real question is does it convert and do what ascorbic acid is supposed to do. This also is a 30 ethyl ascorbic acid vitamin C, it's in a cream rather than a lightweight serum. This also has nice niacinamide which, as I mentioned, because we don't know if 3-ethyl ascorbic acid gets into the skin and is converted into a meaningful amount of ascorbic acid, the one who's doing the heavy lifting is niacinamide. In contrast to that serum, this has lactic acid which may get you a little bit more in terms of not only hydration but smoothing of the skin surface. This one does not have fragrance, whereas the other one does."
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