Vichy LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM

Vichy

LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM

face serum

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Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
41%
Combination (dry)
41%
Balanced
71%
Combination (oily)
99%
Oily
99%

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Concentrations

ASCORBIC ACID 15%
11
Ingredients
5
Benefits
2
Actives
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A breakthrough synergy that combines 15% Pure Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pine Polyphenols and Pure Hyaluronic Acid in a dermatologist-grade serum to boost antioxidant skin defenses for a brigher healthy looking skin. Our highest concentration of pure Vitamin C for an intense brightening effect. This highly potent antioxidant complex corrects and prevents oxidative stress, dullness, and skin ageing. The Vitamin C Serum creates a visibly brighter and firmer complexion, smooths the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines in just 10 days.

Key Insights

Benefits

5
Anti-Aging
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Hydration
Soothing

Active Ingredients

2
Hyaluronic acid Vitamin C

Risks

1
Alcohol

Full Ingredients

11 total
WATER ASCORBIC ACID (15%) Vitamin C ALCOHOL DENAT. DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL GLYCERIN LAURETH-23 NEOHESPERIDIN DIHYDROCHALCONE SODIUM HYDROXIDE TOCOPHEROL HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID Hyaluronic acid PINUS PINASTER BARK/BUD EXTRACT

About LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM

Overview

LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM is a watery-light serum from Vichy, a brand based in France. The ingredient list runs to 11 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

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.

What the formula does

Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid and Water.

Antioxidant support: Moderate. Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution, and here that comes from Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol.

Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. A few ingredients carry irritation flags, so reactive skin should patch test before using it on the whole face.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, oil control, 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.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain drying alcohol, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.

Where it fits in a routine

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.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No fragrance or declared allergens
  • No essential oils
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers

Things to know

  • Contains drying alcohol high in the list

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

A few ingredients here carry irritation flags. Reactive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before using it on the whole face.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Anti-Aging 3 ingredients

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

  • Hydration 3 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Evens Skin Tone 2 ingredients

    Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance

  • Dark Spot Fading 1 ingredient

    Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time

  • Soothing 1 ingredient

    Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin

Does not target

Anti-Acne Blackhead Reducing Oil Control Pore Minimizer Smooths Bumpy Skin

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.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Water

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

Hydration
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Ascorbic acid

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone
Glycerin

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
Tocopherol

9th 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

Anti-Aging Evens Skin Tone Soothing
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid

10th 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

Hydration

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration Moderate

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support Moderate

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control None

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening Moderate

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing Low

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal None

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (2)

Supporting ingredients (9)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Water Alcohol Denat. Dipropylene Glycol Glycerin Laureth-23 Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone Sodium Hydroxide Tocopherol Pinus Pinaster Bark/bud Extract

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Essential-oil-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

Contains

  • Drying alcohol

    Alcohol Denat.

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
  • PHAs (gluconolactone)
  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Use with caution

  • Benzoyl peroxide

    Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.

  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • BHA (salicylic acid)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

Where it fits in a routine

Morning Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Toning
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise
  5. Protect

This product is the "Treat" step.

  • 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.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
Sensitive and reactive skin
A few ingredients here carry irritation flags. Reactive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before using it on the whole face.
Recorded ingredient risks
Alcohol

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 11 ingredients on the label.

4
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

3
Antioxidant

Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution

3
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

2
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

2
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

2
pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

2
Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

1
Occlusive

Forms a film that slows water loss

1
Plant extract

Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent

1
Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

1
UV filter

Absorbs or scatters ultraviolet light

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Water Solvent
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

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

Hydration
3 scientific references
  • Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
  • Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
2 Ascorbic Acid Active
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active, Antioxidant, pH adjuster

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Ascorbic acid

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone
12 scientific references
  • Drug Delivery, February 2021, pages 445-453
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, December 2020, pages 3, 262-3, 269
  • Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, May-August 2020, pages 374-382
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2020, pages 671-676
  • Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, July 2017 pages 14-17
  • Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July 2016, pages 863-867
  • Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, September 2015, pages 463-470
  • Indian Dermatology Online Journal, April-June 2013, pages 143-146
  • AAPS PharmSciTech, July 2011, pages 917-923
  • Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July 2008, Supplement, pages s2-s6
  • International Journal of Toxicology, Supplement 2, March 2005, pages 51-111
  • Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, July-August 2004, pages 200-206
3 Alcohol Denat. Texture agent
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent, Solvent, Preservative

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Alcohol Denat. is ethyl alcohol that is denatured with one or more denaturing agents in accordance with the national legislation of each European Community (EU) country.

Alcohol
4 Dipropylene Glycol Texture agent
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent, Solvent

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

1,1'-Oxydipropan-2-ol; Oxydipropan-2-ol; Hydroxypropyloxypropanol

5 Glycerin Humectant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
  • Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
  • International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
  • British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
6 Laureth-23 Surfactant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-dodecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-

7 Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

1-[4-[[2-O-(6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl]-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-one

8 Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
pH adjuster

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium hydroxide

9 Tocopherol Antioxidant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Antioxidant

9th 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

Anti-Aging Evens Skin Tone Soothing
4 scientific references
  • Journal or Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 2010, pages 7013-7020
  • Journal of Investigative Dermatology, November 2001, pages 1212-1217
  • Canadian Family Physician, July 2006, pages 855-856
  • Dermatologic Surgery, April 1999, pages 311-315
10 Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Humectant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Active

10th 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

Hydration
11 Pinus Pinaster Bark/bud Extract UV filter
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
UV filter, Antioxidant, Plant extract, Preservative

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract is an extract of the bark and pine buds of the Maritime Pine, Pinus pinaster, Pinaceae

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Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

WATER, ASCORBIC ACID, ALCOHOL DENAT., DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, LAURETH-23, NEOHESPERIDIN DIHYDROCHALCONE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PINUS PINASTER BARK/BUD EXTRACT.

What are the active ingredients in LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

ASCORBIC ACID, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID.

How do I use LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

Press the applicator to deliver a few drops of Vitamin C Serum. Apply on cleansed skin avoiding the eye area. Let sit for a few moments. Follow by your daily moisturizer.

What skin types is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM good for?

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.

Is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM good for sensitive skin?

Some ingredients here carry irritation flags, so sensitive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before applying it to the whole face.

Is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM fungal acne safe?

No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.

Can I use LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM while pregnant?

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.

Is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM fragrance free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.

Does LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM contain alcohol?

Yes — it contains Alcohol Denat..

Is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

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.

When should I apply LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.

How many ingredients does LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM have?

It lists 11 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.

Who makes LIFTACTIV C15 BRIGHTENING SERUM?

Vichy, a brand based in France.

Brand
Vichy
Country
France
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