
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Vitamin C derivative serum with 20% Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
FEATURES
Lightweight oil formula, Less irritating than direct vitamin C, Supports skin hydration
BEST FOR
dry
CHECKS
Water-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Signs Of Aging Uneven Skin Tone Brightening HydrationBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What The Ordinary Says
Product Description:
A lightweight oil containing an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that helps reduce signs of aging by brightening and balancing uneven skin tone, with less irritation potential compared to direct forms of vitamin C. Contains vitamin F (Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids) to support skin's natural hydration barrier.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Coconut-Alkanes, Tetrahexyldecyl-Ascorbate, Ethyl-Linoleate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia-Chinensis-Seed-Oil, Solanum-Lycopersicum-Fruit-Extract, Squalane
Key Ingredients
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethyl Linoleate, Squalane
Ingredients Details
Coco Caprylate/caprate
Common Name(s): Coco caprylate/caprate
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Smooths and softens skin by filling intercorneocyte spaces, reducing friction, and providing a pleasant aesthetic skin feel in formulations.
Why It's Used: Synthetic esters provide tailored aesthetic properties โ spreadability, skin feel, volatility, refractive index โ that natural oils alone cannot consistently deliver.
How It Works: The ester molecule fills microscopic surface irregularities between corneocytes, reducing coefficient of friction, reflecting light uniformly, and providing a lubrication layer that protects the skin surface.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,sunscreens,color cosmetics,body lotions,lip products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Synthetic emollients
Secondary Functions: Emollient
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1โ20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced ester emollient; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 1
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Silicones,uv filters,other emollients
Avoid Combining With: Strongly alkaline conditions (risk of saponification of ester-type emollients)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
The spreading coefficient of an emollient is governed by its surface tension, viscosity, and polarity. esters with branched alkyl chains (e.g., isopropyl, isostearyl) spread rapidly and leave a non-tacky film; linear long-chain esters provide more substantive moisturization. hlb value determines the preferred formulation system (w/o vs o/w emulsions).
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Coconut Alkanes
Common Name(s): Coconut alkanes,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class โ physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Coconut alkanes has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,coconut alkanes technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Ethyl Linoleate
Common Name(s): Ethyl linoleate
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Smooths and softens skin by filling intercorneocyte spaces, reducing friction, and providing a pleasant aesthetic skin feel in formulations.
Why It's Used: Synthetic esters provide tailored aesthetic properties โ spreadability, skin feel, volatility, refractive index โ that natural oils alone cannot consistently deliver.
How It Works: The ester molecule fills microscopic surface irregularities between corneocytes, reducing coefficient of friction, reflecting light uniformly, and providing a lubrication layer that protects the skin surface.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,sunscreens,color cosmetics,body lotions,lip products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Synthetic emollients
Secondary Functions: Emollient
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1โ20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced ester emollient; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 1
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Silicones,uv filters,other emollients
Avoid Combining With: Strongly alkaline conditions (risk of saponification of ester-type emollients)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
The spreading coefficient of an emollient is governed by its surface tension, viscosity, and polarity. esters with branched alkyl chains (e.g., isopropyl, isostearyl) spread rapidly and leave a non-tacky film; linear long-chain esters provide more substantive moisturization. hlb value determines the preferred formulation system (w/o vs o/w emulsions).
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Common Name(s): Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Nourishes and softens skin through its balanced fatty acid profile, while antioxidant compounds protect against oxidative skin damage.
Why It's Used: Plant oils provide physiologically compatible lipid structures that integrate into the skin barrier and deliver fat-soluble antioxidants directly to skin cells.
How It Works: Fatty acids integrate into stratum corneum lipid lamellae, reinforcing the lipid barrier. antioxidants (tocopherols, carotenoids, polyphenols) neutralize ros through electron donation or singlet oxygen quenching.
Typically Found In: Face oils,serums,moisturizers,hair treatments,body oils
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Plant oils
Secondary Functions: Emollient,antioxidant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Cold-pressed or solvent-extracted plant oil; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 2
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Vitamin e,ceramides,other plant oils,squalane
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizers (accelerate rancidity)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Vegetable oils are triglyceride matrices where the fatty acid composition determines skin compatibility, barrier function, and comedogenicity. oleic acid-rich oils (>60%) soften barrier lipids and enhance penetration; linoleic acid-rich oils reinforce ceramide-poor stratum corneum; saturated fatty acid-rich oils provide occlusion without skin penetration.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; aocs plant oil composition databases; fatty acid pharmacology reviews
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15