Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum ingredients, decoded
What Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.
Mix-before-use 15% L-ascorbic acid day serum with ferulic acid and vitamin E that firms, brightens and targets signs of photoaging.
What it targets
Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.
Also listed, but probably in too small an amount to do its usual job, so not counted above: Gluconolactone.
Key ingredients
Pure vitamin C. Antioxidant that brightens; unstable and works best at low pH.
Ingredient guide →Vitamin E. Antioxidant that also protects oils in the formula from going rancid.
Plant antioxidant often paired with vitamins C and E to boost stability.
Cross-linked hyaluronic acid that forms a moisture-holding film.
Ingredient guide →Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect.
Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect.
Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect.
Worth knowing
- Contains ingredients that break down with light and air (Ascorbic Acid). Close the cap tightly and store it somewhere cool and dark.
What most of it is made of
- WaterBase
- Dimethyl IsosorbideSolvent
- Ascorbic AcidActive ingredient15%
- Laureth-23Emulsifier
- GlycerinHumectant
1% line: from Tocopherol (#6) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. The brand states Tocopherol at 1%. Ingredients above 1% must come first, so everything after it should be 1% or less too.
Full ingredient list, decoded (33)
| 1 | Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients. | Base |
| 2 | Dimethyl Isosorbide다이메틸아이소소바이드Solvent and carrier that helps actives reach the skin. | Solvent |
| 3 | Ascorbic Acid 15%아스코빅애씨드Pure vitamin C. Antioxidant that brightens; unstable and works best at low pH.Ingredient guide → | Active ingredient |
| 4 | Laureth-23라우레스-23Solubiliser that keeps oils and actives mixed into watery formulas. | Emulsifier |
| 5 | Glycerin글리세린A classic humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer. Well tolerated by almost everyone. | Humectant |
| 1% line — probably 1% or less below this point | ||
| 6 | Tocopherol 1%토코페롤Vitamin E. Antioxidant that also protects oils in the formula from going rancid. | Antioxidant |
| 7 | Lactobacillus락토바실러스Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning. | Ferment |
| 8 | Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil마룰라씨오일Plant oil that softens and nourishes dry skin. | Plant oil |
| 9 | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate다이포타슘글리시리제이트Licorice-derived soothing ingredient. | Soothing |
| 10 | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract스페인감초뿌리추출물Licorice root: soothing and mildly brightening. | Plant extract |
| 11 | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract포도즙추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 12 | Ferulic Acid 0.5%페룰릭애씨드Plant antioxidant often paired with vitamins C and E to boost stability. | Antioxidant |
| 13 | Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract인디안구스베리열매추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 14 | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract녹차추출물Green tea extract: antioxidant and soothing. | Plant extract |
| 15 | Lactobacillus락토바실러스Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning. | Ferment |
| 16 | Propanediol프로판다이올Humectant and solvent, often plant-derived; also boosts preservation. | Humectant |
| 17 | Gluconolactone Trace글루코노락톤PHA: a gentle exfoliant that also hydrates; suits sensitive skin.Ingredient guide → | Exfoliant |
| 18 | Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer소듐하이알루로네이트크로스폴리머Cross-linked hyaluronic acid that forms a moisture-holding film.Ingredient guide → | Humectant |
| 19 | Sodium Hyaluronate소듐하이알루로네이트The salt form of hyaluronic acid; the version most products actually use.Ingredient guide → | Humectant |
| 20 | Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract흑미강추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 21 | Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole글루타밀아미도에틸이미다졸Skin-conditioning ingredient. | Skin conditioning |
| 22 | Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane테트라하이드로비스디메톡시다이페룰로일메탄Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect. | Active ingredient |
| 23 | Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane테트라하이드로디메톡시다이페룰로일메탄Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect. | Active ingredient |
| 24 | Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane테트라하이드로다이페룰로일메탄Tetrahydrocurcuminoid (colourless turmeric derivative) used to brighten and protect. | Active ingredient |
| 25 | Pentylene Glycol펜틸렌글라이콜Humectant with mild antimicrobial action, used to cut down on classic preservatives. | Humectant |
| 26 | Caprylhydroxamic Acid카프릴하이드록사믹애씨드Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 27 | Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate류코노스톡/무발효여과물Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning. | Ferment |
| 28 | Sorbic Acid소르빅애씨드Preservative; the EU allows up to 0.6% (as acid). | Preservative |
| 29 | Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less. | Preservative |
| 30 | Sodium Benzoate소듐벤조에이트Preservative, often used in "paraben-free" formulas. | Preservative |
| 31 | Caprylyl Glycol카프릴릴글라이콜Humectant with preservative-boosting action. | Preservative |
| 32 | Chondrus Crispus Extract아이리쉬모스추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 33 | Ethylhexylglycerin에틸헥실글리세린Preservative booster, usually paired with phenoxyethanol. | Preservative |
Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.
Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.