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Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum 30ml, amber glass dropper bottle, front

Dr.Althea

Vitamin C Boosting Serum (30ml)

  • £18.99
Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a brightening serum built on 63% sea buckthorn water, as printed on our box, with niacinamide, tranexamic acid and two forms of vitamin C for the look of uneven tone. It targets dullness and the look of dark spots and uneven tone, for a fresher glow. What it doesNiacinamide and tranexamic acid work on the look of uneven tone and the marks breakouts leave behind. Alpha-arbutin, a vitamin C derivative (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) and ascorbic acid add to the brightening, while hyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramide NP keep skin comfortable. Despite the name, the stated vitamin C amount is small: our box lists ascorbic acid at 100 ppm (0.01%), and Dr.Althea do not state how much 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid it contains, so we see this as a tone serum first, not a vitamin C treatment. Why we chose itWe chose it as a first tone serum: Dr.Althea print "suitable for sensitive skin" on the box, and there is no fragrance in the listed ingredients. If you want a serum that states its niacinamide and tranexamic acid strengths, Anua Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum gives them on the label. Best forDullness and uneven skin toneThe look of dark spots and post-blemish marksA first brightening serumNormal, combination, oily or sensitive skin that wants a light serumMorning use under sunscreenNot ideal ifYou want a high-strength vitamin C serum: the only stated vitamin C amount is ascorbic acid at 100 ppm (0.01%)You already use a strong niacinamide or tranexamic acid serum: choose one to avoid doubling upYou react to plant extracts: it contains fig, eclipta and kelp extractsYour skin is very reactive and you have not used niacinamide or tranexamic acid before: Dr.Althea print "suitable for sensitive skin" on the box, but introduce it on its own and patch test firstKey ingredientsSea buckthorn water (63%, printed on our box): the base of the formula and the source of the vitamin C name; the box does not say how much vitamin C it providesNiacinamide: tone, barrier support and oil balanceTranexamic acid: the look of dark spots and marksAlpha-arbutin, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid (100 ppm on our box): supporting brighteningHyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramide NP: hydration and comfortTexture and finishA lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that layers easily under moisturiser and sunscreen. Where it goes in your routineAfter cleansing and toner, before moisturiser, morning and evening. Spread a few drops over the face and let it absorb before moisturiser. In the morning, always finish with sunscreen, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+. What to expectSkin feels hydrated and fresh straight away. Brightness builds with daily use, while dark spots and marks fade gradually, and only with daily sunscreen. Quick facts: 30 ml · 63% sea buckthorn water · Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, vitamin C forms · No fragrance listed · AM and PM · Dr.Althea, made in Korea
Read more
  • 63% sea buckthorn water, a vitamin C-rich base
  • Niacinamide and tranexamic acid for uneven tone
  • For dullness and the look of dark spots
  • Light serum; no fragrance listed
Helps with
Dark spotsUneven toneDullnessPost-blemish marks
Best for
NormalOilyCombination

In stock. Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch

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Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a brightening serum built on 63% sea buckthorn water, as printed on our box, with niacinamide, tranexamic acid and two forms of vitamin C for the look of uneven tone. It targets dullness and the look of dark spots and uneven tone, for a fresher glow.

What it does

Niacinamide and tranexamic acid work on the look of uneven tone and the marks breakouts leave behind. Alpha-arbutin, a vitamin C derivative (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) and ascorbic acid add to the brightening, while hyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramide NP keep skin comfortable. Despite the name, the stated vitamin C amount is small: our box lists ascorbic acid at 100 ppm (0.01%), and Dr.Althea do not state how much 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid it contains, so we see this as a tone serum first, not a vitamin C treatment.

Why we chose it

We chose it as a first tone serum: Dr.Althea print "suitable for sensitive skin" on the box, and there is no fragrance in the listed ingredients. If you want a serum that states its niacinamide and tranexamic acid strengths, Anua Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum gives them on the label.

Best for

  • Dullness and uneven skin tone
  • The look of dark spots and post-blemish marks
  • A first brightening serum
  • Normal, combination, oily or sensitive skin that wants a light serum
  • Morning use under sunscreen

Not ideal if

  • You want a high-strength vitamin C serum: the only stated vitamin C amount is ascorbic acid at 100 ppm (0.01%)
  • You already use a strong niacinamide or tranexamic acid serum: choose one to avoid doubling up
  • You react to plant extracts: it contains fig, eclipta and kelp extracts
  • Your skin is very reactive and you have not used niacinamide or tranexamic acid before: Dr.Althea print "suitable for sensitive skin" on the box, but introduce it on its own and patch test first

Key ingredients

  • Sea buckthorn water (63%, printed on our box): the base of the formula and the source of the vitamin C name; the box does not say how much vitamin C it provides
  • Niacinamide: tone, barrier support and oil balance
  • Tranexamic acid: the look of dark spots and marks
  • Alpha-arbutin, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid (100 ppm on our box): supporting brightening
  • Hyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramide NP: hydration and comfort

Texture and finish

A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that layers easily under moisturiser and sunscreen.

Where it goes in your routine

After cleansing and toner, before moisturiser, morning and evening. Spread a few drops over the face and let it absorb before moisturiser. In the morning, always finish with sunscreen, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+.

What to expect

Skin feels hydrated and fresh straight away. Brightness builds with daily use, while dark spots and marks fade gradually, and only with daily sunscreen.

Quick facts: 30 ml · 63% sea buckthorn water · Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, vitamin C forms · No fragrance listed · AM and PM · Dr.Althea, made in Korea

  • Morning and evening, after cleansing and toner, before moisturiser.
  • A few drops is enough for the face: spread them on and let the serum absorb before moisturiser.
  • In the morning, finish with sunscreen every day. Tone and dark spot care depends on it.
  • If you already use a niacinamide or tranexamic acid serum, choose one rather than layering both.
  • If your skin is sensitive, patch test first and introduce it on its own before adding anything else new.
  • On nights you use retinal or exfoliating acids, keep this serum for the morning if your skin feels sensitised.

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 (Fig) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid (100 ppm), Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Alpha-Arbutin, Tocopherol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Bisabolol, Ubiquinone, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Good to know

  • No fragrance or essential oils in the listed ingredients
  • No retinoid and no exfoliating acids (tranexamic acid is not an exfoliant)
  • Contains vitamin C forms: use sunscreen by day
  • Contains plant extracts, including fig and eclipta

Is this a strong vitamin C serum?

No. Despite the name, the only stated vitamin C amount is ascorbic acid at 100 ppm (0.01%), printed on our box. Dr.Althea do not state how much 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid it contains, and the box does not say how much vitamin C the 63% sea buckthorn water provides. We see it as a tone serum with niacinamide and tranexamic acid, with vitamin C alongside. If you want a dedicated high-strength vitamin C serum, this is not the one we would choose.

Can sensitive skin use it?

It depends on your skin. Dr.Althea print "suitable for sensitive skin" on the box, and there is no fragrance, essential oil, retinoid or exfoliating acid in the listed ingredients. Niacinamide and tranexamic acid are still actives, so if your skin is very reactive, patch test and introduce it on its own.

Will it help with post-blemish marks?

It is most relevant to brown or darker marks, which are pigment: niacinamide and tranexamic acid are there for the look of those. Marks that are still red or pink are a different issue, and a tone serum makes less difference there. Either way, results are gradual and depend on daily sunscreen.

Can I use it with retinal or exfoliating acids?

Yes, it contains neither, so it can sit in the same routine. If your skin feels sensitised on the nights you use them, keep this serum for the morning.

Can I layer it with another niacinamide or tranexamic acid serum?

We would choose one. Both actives are already in this serum, so doubling up adds little and makes it harder to tell what your skin is reacting to.

UK Delivery

Orders under £25
Shipping: £2.99
Service: Royal Mail Tracked 48

Orders £25 and over
Shipping: FREE
Service: Royal Mail Tracked 24

Dispatch & Delivery Times

  • Orders placed before 1pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same working day.
  • Orders placed after 1:00 PM are dispatched the next working day.
  • Royal Mail Tracked 48 typically delivers within 2 working days.
  • Royal Mail Tracked 24 aims for next working day delivery.

So for orders £25 and over placed before 1pm on a working day:

Order before 1pm → dispatched same day → Royal Mail Tracked 24 aims to deliver the next working day.

Please note that delivery times are estimates and may occasionally vary during busy periods, bank holidays or due to Royal Mail delays.

Vitamin C Boosting Serum (30ml)

£18.99