🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum for sensitive skin

High

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent for your normal skin with sensitivity, as ascorbic acid and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid effectively brighten and even skin tone while niacinamide calms redness and irritation.
  • Tocopherol and squalane further support barrier repair and provide antioxidant protection, enhancing overall skin health.
  • The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
  • Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 6.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this serum for its potent ability to brighten dull complexions and fade stubborn acne scars, often noting visible results within a few weeks. The high 23% concentration can be irritating for sensitive skin, and many users dislike the sticky texture and strong scent.

Highlights

  • Brightens skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “noticeable glow”
    • “brightens complexion”
    • “radiant skin”
  • Fades scars Mostly Mentioned
    • “lightened dark spots”
    • “faded acne scars”
    • “cleared hyperpigmentation”
  • Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
    • “smells like hot dogs”
    • “meaty scent”
    • “bad smell”
  • Affordable price Often Mentioned
    • “great price point”
    • “good value”
    • “affordable vitamin C”
  • Sticky texture Often Mentioned
    • “tacky finish”
    • “feels sticky”
    • “like glue”
  • Fast absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “sinks in fast”
    • “doesn't feel greasy”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “feels moisturizing”
    • “hydrating finish”
    • “leaves skin supple”
  • Oxidation issues Sometimes Noted
    • “oxidized quickly”
    • “turned orange fast”
    • “needs fridge storage”
  • Skin irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “stung my face”
    • “burning sensation”
  • Poor packaging Rarely Noted
    • “leaky bottle”
    • “messy dropper”
    • “crusty rim”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes COSRX Vitamin C 23 a great fit for sensitive skin?

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum is a great fit because ascorbic acid and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid brighten and even skin tone while niacinamide calms redness and irritation. Additionally, tocopherol and squalane help support barrier repair and keep skin smooth and healthy.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Ascorbic acid and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid make this serum a great fit because they effectively brighten and even skin tone, while niacinamide calms redness and irritation. Additionally, tocopherol and squalane support barrier repair, and the formula is safe due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Vitamin C do for sensitive skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out fine lines, and fade dark spots. Clinical studies show it is generally safe and well-tolerated when improving overall skin quality.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and gives you extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternating nights or using retinol at night and this serum in the morning to prevent irritation on sensitive skin. Using potent vitamin C and retinol together may overwhelm sensitive skin, so separating them helps keep your skin calm and smooth.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum is a great fit for your sensitive skin and can be used in your evening routine. Using antioxidants daily helps improve skin tone and protects your skin while keeping irritation low.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is a great fit for your sensitive skin because Ascorbic Acid and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid effectively brighten and even skin tone while Niacinamide calms redness and irritation. Tocopherol and Squalane further support barrier repair and provide antioxidant protection, and the formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Concurrent treatment with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and cannabigerol in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes prevents membrane structure alterations, promotes cell survival, enhances antioxidant enzyme activity and GSH- and Trx-dependent systems, reduces lipid and protein oxidative modifications, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

    Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

Ingredients

Water, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium Edta, Glutathione, Adenosine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Palm Oil, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract Carrot Root Extract, Beta-Carotene

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 24 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Arab Emirates.

How does it fit your skin?

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