4Rank 04 of 10 · Vitamin C Serums
Garnier Vitamin C+ Glow Booster Serum
A cheap, well-reviewed brightening serum that uses the derivative 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid alongside niacinamide — but Garnier does not say how much vitamin C is in it.
6.9BPR score
- €12Price
- 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid; vitamin C percentage not published (Garnier quotes only a combined „4 %“ for niacinamide, vitamin C, salicylic acid and Melasyl)Form of vitamin C and declared concentration
- 4 of 10in Vitamin C Serums
- 6.9BPR score 0–10
Review
What this product is
Written after the analysis, from the same sources the score is built on: the manufacturer's documentation, available studies and verified owner feedback.
This is the crowd favourite in our sample: 4.67/5 from 1,264 reviews on Garnier's German site and 4.7/5 from 28 on Notino.de, at €11.50 for 30 ml in a glass dropper bottle. It suits someone who wants a light brightening serum with a vitamin C derivative and is happy not to know the exact dose.
The vitamin C here is 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, which sits eleventh in the ingredient list, behind water, glycerin, alcohol denat., two glycols, niacinamide and several solvents. Garnier's page gives only a combined figure („4 % Niacinamid, Vitamin C, Salicylsäure und Melasyl“), while the Notino listing quotes 3.5% for niacinamide, vitamin C and salicylic acid together. Either way, the vitamin C share is not published and must be smaller than that combined figure. The 2017 review by Al-Niaimi and Chiang reports that ascorbic acid derivatives did not raise L-ascorbic acid levels in skin, so the evidence for this form is thinner than for pure L-ascorbic acid.
The formula also contains parfum and the allergens linalool, limonene and geraniol, plus lemon and pineapple extracts. Claims of results „in 3 days“ come without participant numbers.
Technical data
Specification
Figures from the manufacturer's documentation, verified against available outside sources. Values we could not confirm are marked as declared.
- Vitamin C form
- 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid
- Declared concentration
- Not published
- Pack size
- 30 ml
- Price (Notino.de)
- €11.50
- Price per 30 ml
- €11.50
- Combined actives (Garnier.de)
- 4% niacinamide, vitamin C, salicylic acid and Melasyl
- Vitamin E
- Tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate
- Ferulic acid
- No
- Fragrance
- Yes (parfum, linalool, limonene, geraniol)
- Packaging
- Glass bottle with dropper
- Garnier.de rating
- 4.67/5 (1,264 reviews)
- Notino rating
- 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Component scores
Where the score
comes from.
Four components, equal weight, each on a 0–10 scale and each resting on a named source. The overall score is their mean — the full procedure is in the methodology.
What we liked
- 4.67/5 from 1,264 reviews on Garnier.de
- €11.50 for 30 ml
- Stable derivative (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) with niacinamide
- Glass dropper bottle
- Contains tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate
Worth knowing
- Vitamin C percentage not published
- Fragrance with linalool, limonene and geraniol
- Alcohol denat. third in INCI
- Speed claims (3 and 6 days) without published study details
Comparison
How it compares
within the category
All values come from the same analysis and are comparable only within the category Vitamin C Serums.
| Product | Score | Form of vitamin C and declared concentration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revitalift Clinical Vitamin C SerumTop score | 7.5 | 12% ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid) — percentage stated in the Notino.de listing; L'Oréal's own page could not be opened | €18 |
| Vitamin C+ Glow Booster SerumThis product | 6.9 | 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid; vitamin C percentage not published (Garnier quotes only a combined „4 %“ for niacinamide, vitamin C, salicylic acid and Melasyl) | €12 |
| Category average10 products analysed | 6.7 | — | — |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much vitamin C does the Garnier Glow Booster contain?
Garnier does not publish it. Its page gives a combined 4% for niacinamide, vitamin C, salicylic acid and Melasyl; the vitamin C share is not stated.
Is 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid the same as pure vitamin C?
No. It is an ethylated derivative of ascorbic acid that is more stable in water-based formulas. The 2017 review we cite found derivatives did not raise L-ascorbic acid levels in skin, so evidence for it is weaker.
From the same ranking
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The same protocol, the same key parameter, the same set of sources.
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