Formula · 7.8

Brand · 7.1

Garnier · pure vitamin C 10% · France

Garnier Vitamin C Night Serum

Garnier Vitamin C Night Serum
7.8

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4
  • Active concentration1.0After the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha) — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.6For “dark spots and uneven tone” — 57 %; retinoid; glycolic acid; could be added without conflict: retinoid, glycolic acid; a broad formula across 4 purposes
  • Tolerance0.9Debatable ingredient groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • dry skin
  • oily skin
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skinstings at 15–20 %
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Against dark spots you need two fronts: actives that slow pigment production (azelaic and tranexamic acids, niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, thiamidol) and those that speed up skin renewal (a retinoid, acids). One active per front is enough; better both fronts and SPF in the daytime.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
in the morning under SPF
When to expect an effect: tone, glow — 4–8 weeks; pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; wrinkles — 8 weeks, a modest effect; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: stinging at high concentration; mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; nothing special — well tolerated

Ingredients — 16 components · 4 work

What works: 4 of 16 ingredients: vitamin c, salicylic acid, adenosine and 1 more. Against dark spots you need two fronts: actives that slow pigment production (azelaic and tranexamic acids, niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, thiamidol) and those that speed up skin renewal (a retinoid, acids). One active per front is enough; better both fronts and SPF in the daytime.

Strengths: active concentration, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; completeness for the purpose: for “dark spots and uneven tone” — 57 %

Questions: fragrance and its allergens: linalool, limonene, geraniol, fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

  • Aqua / Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Ascorbic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ascorbic acid
  • Pentylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Hydroxyacetophenone base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Caprylyl Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.
  • Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside base: coating, fillers · washes oil and dirt off skin or hair
  • Polyquaternium-67 base: coating, fillers · makes hair softer and easier to comb
  • Adenosine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: adenosine
  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Sodium Hyaluronate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Linalool questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Limonene questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Geraniol questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Parfum / Fragrance questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

Garnier Vitamin C Night Serum is a product whose active ingredient is vitamin c + salicylic acid (bha) + adenosine + hyaluronic acid at a declared 10 %. The effect is supported by studies: vitamin c. The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha), hyaluronic acid. There is little evidence of effect: adenosine. The formula has 16 ingredients, 4 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Parfum / Fragrance (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works). Against dark spots you need two fronts: actives that slow pigment production (azelaic and tranexamic acids, niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, thiamidol) and those that speed up skin renewal (a retinoid, acids). One active per front is enough; better both fronts and SPF in the daytime. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, dry skin, oily skin. pregnancy, sensitive skin, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: in the morning under SPF. When to expect an effect: tone, glow — 4–8 weeks. Label score — 7.8 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; after the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha) — the concentration is likely token; for “dark spots and uneven tone” — 57 %; retinoid; glycolic acid; could be added without conflict: retinoid, glycolic acid; a broad formula across 4 purposes; debatable ingredient groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). Pure ascorbic acid at this share needs an acidic base and can sting sensitive skin. This is a night product; sun protection is needed during the day.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: persistent redness — stop; a darkened serum has oxidised; burning, persistent redness — stop; itching, rash — stop; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

Per the maker's leaflet: Pure ascorbic acid at this share needs an acidic base and can sting sensitive skin. This is a night product; sun protection is needed during the day.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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