Review: Vegreen – Intensive Vitamin C Ampoule (20%)

Where to purchase: Vegreen’s Amazon: LINK / Stylevana (UK): LINK / US: LINK / EU: LINK / AUS: LINK / CA: LINK / HK: LINK

Price: £20.01 / $24.90

Volume: 30ml

Made in: South Korea

What is it?: An oil-based Vitamin C Serum (Ampoule) containing 14% Ascorbic Acid and 6% Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether (A Vitamin C derivative).

What does it do?: Help to 1. Fade pigmentation (i.e. dark spots) 2. Smooth the skin’s texture (reduce fine lines) 3. Moisturise it and 4. Protect it against environmental damage and collagen degradation.

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types.

What I think: Due to the oil-type texture and finish of this product, I would recommend it to Dry Skins > Oily Skins.

-Furthermore due to the 14% Ascorbic Acid; Sensitive Skins may want to ease into this product slowly.

As you can see; the box is recyclable printed with Soy Ink. Furthermore, I received this box in April so if I did not open this bottle, it would last another 3 years.

Vegan?: Yes.

Cruelty-Free?: Yes.

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months after opening HOWEVER on the box it states that it is better to use this product within 3 months (i.e. before total degradation of the Vitamin C). Furthermore my specific batch product (if unopened) wouldn’t have expired until 2026.03.23

Note: I’ve had this product (opened) for 2 Months and this hasn’t degraded or turned horribly brown/yellow. It’s only got a slight tinge of yellow.

pH: N/A (As this doesn’t contain water).

Packaging: Glass bottle with a pump and a cap. Easy to use and hygienic (I prefer this over a dropper). Note: The packaging comes with brail. Soy Ink. the box is recyclable but the PCR bottle is not.

This is the bottle (it has an airtight tab you peel off, to stop air from getting in). Once you rip that open, the product will be exposed to air, then you screw the pump lid in.

Directions: Apply 1-2 drops in the AM and PM (after cleansing). The brand recommends to apply this before other skincare products for better absorption.

-The company recommends you can pair this serum with their Cica Serum to add to that collagen protection. The A’pieu Cica ampoule is also a nice pair (Review).

Note: The brand also recommends that for sensitive skins; slowly incorporate this product into your routine, to let the skin adapt.

How I use it: I use this every other day so as not to overwhelm my skin. I use this in the PM after toning. For my oily-combo skin, using this product alone wasn’t really working due to the oily layer this leaves on top of the skin. However, I found that mixing a lightweight cream together with this ampoule before applying onto the skin really worked to form a more emollient texture that I could then spread onto the skin and rub in (which also took some of the oiliness and slight tackiness away). I use 2-3 pumps to cover the face and neck as the oil texture means this spreads quite far along the skin.

Key Ingredients: 14% Ascorbic Acid (Pure L-AA Vitamin C): This is a brightening, antioxidant and collagen-protecting ingredient that also has photoprotective qualities. Ascorbic acid is more effective than its derivatives, so it’s great that this Vitamin C serum contains L-AA. Also, 14% is an effective amount without being too irritating compared to a 20% serum (however, very sensitive skins should still build up tolerance to this product).

• Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether (6%) This is a Vitamin-C Derivative proven to brighten the skin and provide antioxidant benefits.

• Green Tea + Centella Asiatica (also hydrating) + Alpha-Bisabolol (i.e. Chamomile extract): Soothing antioxidants which help calm the skin and reduce redness and irritation.

Note: This formula therefore works to protect the skin against photoaging and environmental aggressors and also helps reduce dark spots, post-acne marks and also helps to build collagen in the skin (helps with fine lines and wrinkles).

Full Ingredients: Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid(14%), Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether(6%), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract,(-)-Alpaha-Bisabolol, 1,2-He-xanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This has an oil-type texture that is not thick or heavy. A little goes a long way as this spreads very far. It doesn’t absorb immediately and if too much is added, this can sit on top of the skin. Furthermore, this feels warm when applying onto the skin, but it hasn’t stung my skin.

Sticky?: This does not feel sticky when applying, but once it has dried down/absorbed, Yes, if I add too much. ”Less is more” with this product (it spreads far). What I like to do is mix this with a cream before applying, to reduce potential stickiness.

Greasy?: Yes, as this has an oil-base. It doesn’t fully dissipate, but I find it absorbs better when mixed with a cream. But this is why I think Dry skins will enjoy this over oily skins.

Balls up?: No. But it could cause silicone-heavy products to ball up (due to the oil), so avoid using those when using this.

• As you can see, this has a transparent texture and will run down the hand (please watch the swatch video below).

• This picture was taken not long after first opening the product so it did not change colour.

• When initially rubbing this in, this feels warm on the skin (it dissipates after).

• This was when I first opened the product so as you can see, there is no yellow colour / tint.

About 2 Months after opening this product, this is what the colour looks like. As you can see, it isn’t extremely yellow or dark (still perfectly fine to use).

Comparison Swatch No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)

• Hopefully you can see the glower almost oil-like nature and texture of this product. It is lightweight though.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes (do not use on broken skin).

Summer or Winter?: Dry skins could use this throughout the year. Combination Skins could use this during the Winter.

Layerable?: This doesn’t ball up (I wouldn’t add heavily-silicone skincare on top).

Fungal Acne Safe?: Yes.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is lightweight and runs down the hand. It definitely has that oil-like texture and so is very moisturising.

Fragrance?: This is Fragrance and Essential Oil-free. However this has a typical ”strong vitamin c” serum scent (i.e. almost metallic). It’s potent when applying, but becomes less potent after rubbing in.

Good Under Makeup?: I wouldn’t recommend it due to the oily-base. Unless you mix this in with a moisturiser/makeup primer, which could work (particularly for dry skins).

How long have I been using this?: ~2 months.

Will I use until Completion?: In the cooler, winter months, I would (as I don’t find this drastically irritating or stingy,

How Long will that take?: ~4 Months (basically until this fully oxidises).

The Effect?: Initially: Moisturised skin (as this has an oil texture to it, this feels moisturising. Long Term: Due to how potent this Vitamin C product is, the results are quite visible as the skin looks overall brighter in tone (and is protected from environmental aggressors). I also don’t get such dark pigmentation after blemishes.

What I like:

• Cruelty-Free
• Fragrance + EO Free
• Not heavy
• Moisturising
• Actually contains Ascorbic Acid and not a derivative (and a potent amount)
• Easy-to-use pump packaging with a cap

What I don’t like:

• Can feel greasy for Oily Skins / those in hot and humid weather
• Slightly sticky (if too much is added. Less is more)
• Warm sensation when applying

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9/5 – I have oily-combination skin, so this product didn’t entirely suit my skin type in terms of texture. Dry skins should definitely prefer this as it’s more moisturising. Sensitive skins could use this but this must be used slowly to build tolerance. To me; this is slightly better than the version of the Purito Vitamin C Serum (Review HERE) in terms of texture and COSRX Vitamin C Serum (Review HERE) in terms of, this product has better stability (doesn’t degrade as quickly). This is also more potent than The Ordinary’s serums as those contain derivatives rather than L-AA.

I appreciate this contains a potent amount of Vitamin C (14%) + a derivative (6%), so it does provide the benefits Vitamin C has to offer (brightening effect especially). I also like that this doesn’t ball up. If the texture of this product suited my skin type better (i.e. water-based) I would enjoy it more, but I also understand using a waterless formulation keeps this product potent for longer and reduces the chance of quick degradation (Like the Paula’s Choice Vitamin C – Review).

Would I purchase?: If I had dry skin, I would.

Dupe?: For Oilier Skins or those in hot and humid weather: 1. The Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow Serum (Swatches + Review HERE). Or 2. the Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Serum (Swatches + Review HERE).

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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