La Roche-Posay 12% Pure Vitamin C Anti-Aging Face Serum
by La Roche-Posay · skin_care
Editor's Take
A 12% Vitamin C serum that earns its clinical-grade reputation, but the cyclic silicone base and Alcohol Denat. base are pure conventional pharmacy formulation.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 8.4 / 10
- Modern Tech: 7.5 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 1.0 / 10
- Sustainability: 3.3 / 10
The Verdict
The 12% L-Ascorbic Acid here is real, stabilized in a silicone elastomer network that protects it from oxidation while Salicylic Acid refines texture and Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester soothes the acid's intensity. The efficacy is strong, the technology is competent, but the base is built on Cyclohexasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., and a suite of synthetic polymers that disqualify it from any clean standards conversation. Worth it if you want high-potency Vitamin C and don't care about the delivery system; skip it if you're looking for a formula that aligns with modern clean or sustainable standards.
Full INCI list
Aqua/Water/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Poloxamer 338, Salicylic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Bht, Laureth-7, Parfum/Fragrance.