Ph Doctor Tetra C Serum

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua
2. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
3. Glycerin
4. 1,2-Hexanediol
5. Acacia senegal gum
6. Squalane
7. Hydrogenated Polydecene
8. Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
9. Tocopheryl Acetate
10. Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
11. Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
12. Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
13. Panthenol
14. Allantoin
15. Hyaluronic Acid
16. Olus Oil
17. Sodium Hyaluronate
18. Caprylyl Glycol
19. Silanetriol
20. Butylene Glycol
21. Dimethicone
22. Tocopherol
23. Citric Acid
24. Phenoxyethanol
25. Sorbic Acid
26. Hydroxyacetophenone
27. Potassium Sorbate
28. Sodium Benzoate
29. Parfum

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains fragranceContains animal-derivedContains mineral oilContains essential oilsContains siliconesContains EU-26 allergens

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

ANTIOXIDANT

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING

1,2-Hexanediol

FILM FORMING

Acacia senegal gum

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

SqualaneHydrogenated Polydecene

EMULSION STABILISING

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Other ingredients

Tocopheryl AcetateOryza Sativa Bran OilMacadamia Ternifolia Seed OilCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb ExtractPanthenolAllantoinHyaluronic AcidOlus OilSodium HyaluronateCaprylyl GlycolSilanetriolButylene GlycolDimethiconeTocopherolCitric AcidPhenoxyethanolSorbic AcidHydroxyacetophenonePotassium SorbateSodium BenzoateParfum

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Vitamin C ester antioxidant; more stable than ascorbic acid but still light-sensitive.

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Acacia senegal gum

Natural film-former and fragrance agent; used for viscosity or film, check purity for allergens

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Hydrogenated polydecene, light mineral oil alternative, low comedogenic; silky, non-greasy.

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Water-soluble thickener; requires neutralizer, performs best at pH 5–7

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

Rice bran oil rich in oryzanol and linoleic acid for conditioning; moderate comedogenic rating, mind oxidative stability.

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Macadamia oil, rich in palmitoleic, good penetration; light feel; non-comedogenic.

Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract

Saffron bulb extract for skin conditioning; low concentration for antioxidant/soothing concept, monitor botanical batch variability.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Hyaluronic Acid

High-water-binding humectant at 0.1-1%; high-MW for surface film, low-MW for dermal potential, check cationic compatibility.

Olus Oil

Squalane derivative or plant oil for emollience; specify exact source

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Silanetriol

Basic silanetriol for hair anti-static and smoothness; must be complexed with polymers for stability

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Sorbic Acid

Preservative effective at low pH, often combined with sorbate salts; check regulatory limits

Hydroxyacetophenone

Hydroxyacetophenone as antioxidant; often boosts Vitamin C, works in acidic pH.

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Parfum

Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.