1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Dr.Althea
Gentle Vitamin C Serum
face serum
Dr.Althea
face serum
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testUnlock radiant, even-toned skin with Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum, a K-beauty essential crafted to brighten and fade dark spots while being gentle enough for sensitive skin. Infused with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, and Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, this lightweight, non-sticky serum minimizes hyperpigmentation, boosts collagen production, and delivers a luminous complexion without irritation. Designed for daily use, this vegan, fragrance-free formula hydrates with soothing Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water and Allantoin, making it ideal for all skin types, from dry to oily. Dermatologist-tested and free from harsh alcohols, parabens, and sulfates, it absorbs quickly, leaving skin refreshed and glowing, perfect for beginners or those seeking a mild yet effective Vitamin C boost.
Gentle Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight serum from Dr.Althea. The formula is built mainly around hydration and soothing. The ingredient list runs to 20 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin and Butylene Glycol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol and Water.
Soothing: High. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Allantoin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Niacinamide and Adenosine.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Niacinamide and 3-o-ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract is an extract of the fruit of the Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is the organic compound.
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Treat" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 20 ingredients on the label.
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Dissolves and carries everything else
Forms a film that slows water loss
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Calms visible redness and irritation
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract is an extract of the fruit of the Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
5th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the odoriferous principles of the leaves of the Tea, Camellia sinensis, Theaceae
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Castor oil, polymer with 5-isocyanato-1-(isocyanatomethyl)-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
C10-30 alkyl propenoate, polymer with propenoic acid, butenoic acidand/or alkyl propenoates, product with propenyl sucrose ether or propenyl 2,2-dihydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is the organic compound.
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Bifida Ferment Filtrate is a filtrate of the product obtained by the fermentation of Bifida
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract is is an extract of the leaves of the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Dr. Althea
Shares 10 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
Medicube
Shares 8 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
Arencia
Shares 8 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Numbuzin
Shares 8 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, 3-o-ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Numbuzin
Shares 8 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, 3-o-ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Eqqualberry
Shares 8 key ingredients with Gentle Vitamin C Serum: Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Allantoin
WATER, HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES FRUIT EXTRACT, NIACINAMIDE, PROPANEDIOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF WATER, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CASTOR OIL/IPDI COPOLYMER, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, TROMETHAMINE, XANTHAN GUM, 3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, ADENOSINE, DISODIUM EDTA, ALLANTOIN, BIFIDA FERMENT FILTRATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA LEAF EXTRACT, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL.
NIACINAMIDE, 3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID.
Cleanse and tone: Start with a clean face, using a gentle cleanser and toner to prepare the skin. Apply the serum: Dispense 2–3 drops of Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum and gently spread it across the face, focusing on areas with dark spots or dullness. Pat for absorption: Lightly pat the serum into the skin to enhance absorption, avoiding the eye area. Follow with moisturizer: Lock in hydration with a moisturizer and apply sunscreen during the day to protect against UV sensitivity; use morning and night for optimal results.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Bifida Ferment Filtrate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.
It lists 20 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.
Dr.Althea.
We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Attempting to reconnect