Dr. Althea
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
face serum
Dr. Althea
face serum
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testDr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a lightweight, radiance-enhancing formula designed to achieve clear, glowing skin. Featuring 63% Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, it delivers powerful brightening and antioxidant benefits, while triple hyaluronic acid ensures optimal moisture balance and long-lasting hydration. Infused with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and Centella Asiatica extract, the serum works to improve skin tone, calm irritation, and strengthen the skin barrier. The addition of Ceramide NP, Adenosine, and a blend of botanical extracts further supports skin health, leaving it smooth, hydrated, and visibly radiant.
Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a watery-light serum from Dr. Althea, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration and soothing. The ingredient list runs to 42 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol and Betaine, 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 Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine and Glycerin.
Soothing: High. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol and Beta-glucan.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, 3-o-ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbic Acid.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol and Ceramide NP.
On richness alone it suits 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
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
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.
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.
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)
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, ether with methyl .beta.-d-glucopyranoside (4:1)
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Methyl-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.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 4-(aminomethyl)-, trans-
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Centella Asiatica Extract is the extract of the whole plant Hydrocotyl, Centella asiatica L., Apiaceae
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
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.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
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 42 ingredients on the label.
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Dissolves and carries everything else
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Calms visible redness and irritation
Forms a film that slows water loss
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
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.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water is the aqueous solution of the steam distillates obtained from the whole plant of the Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhmanoides L, Elagnaceae
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the leaves of Hydrocotyl, Centella asiatica L., Apiaceae
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.
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)
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.
1,1'-Oxydipropan-2-ol; Oxydipropan-2-ol; Hydroxypropyloxypropanol
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, ether with methyl .beta.-d-glucopyranoside (4:1)
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Methyl-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.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 4-(aminomethyl)-, trans-
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2-Hydroxyethyl)-
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Laminaria Japonica Extract is an extract of the Japan Kelp/Seaweed, Laminaria japonica, Laminariaceae
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of Eclipta prostrata L., Compositae
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract is an extract of the fruit of the Fig, Ficus carica L., Moraceae
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Centella Asiatica Extract is the extract of the whole plant Hydrocotyl, Centella asiatica L., Apiaceae
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
23rd 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.
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-carboxymethyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-14-isoalkyl ethers, sodium salts (7 mol EO average molar ratio)
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
26th 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)-
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
28th 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)
29th 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
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Fructooligosaccharides are oligosaccharides produced enzymatically from sugar beets and consist chiefly of kestose, nystose and fructosyl nystose
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide consisting of b(1-3) linked glucose chains carrying b(1-6) linked glucose sidechains
33rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ascorbic acid
34th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
35th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside
37th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
38th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Bifida Ferment Lysate is a lysate of the product obtained by the fermentation of Bifida
39th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
(R*,R*)-.alpha.,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-methanol; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (theta,theta)-(+/-)-; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S-(theta,theta))- (levomenol)
40th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,5-Cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, 2-(3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31,35,39-decamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30,34,38-tetracontadecaenyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-, (all-E)-
41st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,5-Cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, 2-(10-hydroxydecyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-
42nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium Acetylhyaluronate
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Dr.Althea
Shares 19 key ingredients with Vitamin C Boosting Serum: Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Methylpropanediol
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NEOGEN
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Anua
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Eqqualberry
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Eqqualberry
Shares 13 key ingredients with Vitamin C Boosting Serum: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin
HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES WATER, CENTELLA ASIATICA LEAF WATER, NIACINAMIDE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, WATER, METHYL GLUCETH-20, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, BETAINE, TRANEXAMIC ACID, GLYCERIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PROPANEDIOL, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, LAMINARIA JAPONICA EXTRACT, ECLIPTA PROSTRATA LEAF EXTRACT, FICUS CARICA FRUIT EXTRACT, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CARBOMER, 3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, SODIUM C12-14 SEC-PARETH-8 CARBOXYLATE, XANTHAN GUM, TROMETHAMINE, PANTHENOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ADENOSINE, DISODIUM EDTA, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, BETA-GLUCAN, ASCORBIC ACID, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, CERAMIDE NP, ALPHA-ARBUTIN, TOCOPHEROL, BIFIDA FERMENT LYSATE, BISABOLOL, UBIQUINONE, HYDROXYDECYL UBIQUINONE, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE.
NIACINAMIDE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, 3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, PANTHENOL, ASCORBIC ACID, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, CERAMIDE NP, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE.
Cleanse the skin, and use a toner. Apply a few drops of the serum to the skin, avoiding the eye and mouth areas. Gently pat into the skin to aid in absorption. For daytime wear, follow up with sunscreen.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits 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 Lysate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
It contains Alpha-arbutin, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
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), PHAs (gluconolactone), Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide. Take more care combining it with Benzoyl peroxide, Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid) — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.
It lists 42 ingredients, of which 8 are recorded as actives.
Dr. Althea, a brand based in Korea.
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