I grabbed this Derma E serum on a Target run out of spite — I was tired of $60 vitamin C serums oxidizing before I finished them. This one costs less than a dinner out and actually works.
The real win? It doesn’t turn your face orange or pill under makeup. That alone puts it ahead of half the Sephora shelf.
It’s a concentrated vitamin C serum with a creamy, almost milky texture — $20 for 1 oz. The claim that made me try it: “brightens without irritation.” I’m a skeptic, but my reactive skin didn’t fight back.
Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate)
Oil-soluble form — gentler than L-ascorbic acid, less sting.
Hyaluronic Acid
Pulls in moisture so you don’t get that tight, dry feeling.
Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid
Stabilizes the C so it doesn’t die in three weeks.
Photo: Mariia Shalabaieva / Unsplash
Don’t expect the hardcore 20% L-ascorbic acid burn. This uses a gentler derivative — good for daily use, bad if you want overnight peeling. It’s formulated for consistency, not drama.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate: Brightens slower but won’t make you flake
- Hyaluronic Acid: Plumps without stickiness
- Ferulic Acid: Antioxidant boost, extends shelf life
- Vitamin E: Calms redness, pairs with C
Photo: averie woodard / Unsplash
It’s thin but not watery — almost like a light lotion. Absorbs in 10 seconds flat. Zero tacky residue. I slap it on before moisturizer and my sunscreen doesn’t ball up. Miracle.
Week 3: My post-acne marks faded faster than usual. Not gone, but visibly lighter. The glow? Subtle. Think “good sleep” not “facial.” That’s fine by me.
Photo: Sonia Roselli / Unsplash
My dark spots are lighter, my skin looks less tired. But if you want dramatic brightening in two weeks, this ain’t it. It’s a slow burn — reliable, not flashy.
Photo: Atikh Bana / Unsplash
Already repurchased. It’s not a miracle, but it’s the most reliable drugstore vitamin C I’ve found — and my wallet’s happier.