Where does this cream go in my routine?

As the last skincare step, morning and evening, over serum. Anything thinner than a cream goes on before it, and anything richer goes on after. If you are adding it to a routine you already like, give it a week on its own first, so what you see is the 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and not three changes at once.

Is this the Korean-market cream or a US version?

The Korean-market one, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and all. We match this cream to its Korean barcode before it reaches the shelf, which is the check that tells you which market release you are holding.

What else is on the list besides 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid?

Niacinamide, Protease and Gluconolactone. The order they are printed in on this cream's panel is the order on the box, so you can see where 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid sits relative to them. Further down the same panel: Cyanocobalamin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Tocopheryl Acetate.

innisfree

Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream 80ml

Name: innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream 80ml
Brand: innisfree
SKU: 12070548500
Price: 55.0 USD
Availability: InStock

innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream is a 80ml cream with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, used as the last skincare step, morning and evening, over serum.

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$55.00

80 ml

$68.75 per 100 ml

Korean-market formula
Ships from California or direct from Korea
Korean barcode and batch code intact

Suited to: Congested skinUneven textureDehydrated skinSensitive skin

Helps with: Shoppers looking for 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid in a creamRoutines that want 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide in one stepFilling the cream step with a Korean-market formulaAnyone who wants the 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid cream sold on Korean shelves

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$55.00

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$49.50

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How it works

The Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream is a 80ml cream, used as the last skincare step, morning and evening, over serum. The antioxidant it is built around is 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, named twentieth on its own ingredient list. The same list carries Niacinamide, Protease and Gluconolactone, so the antioxidant is not the only thing on it worth naming. How much of the 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid stays on the skin, and for how long, is decided by the cream format rather than by the list alone. This is the Original Korean Formula, the cream innisfree sells in Korea, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and all.

Key benefits

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, the antioxidant this cream is built around
Niacinamide and Protease on the same list, actives
Gluconolactone on the same list, an exfoliant
Cyanocobalamin on the same list, a vitamin
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Tocopheryl Acetate further down the same list
Beta-Carotene and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate further down the same list

How to use

Use it as the last step of your routine, morning and night, over any serum or lotion already applied. Warm a small amount between clean palms, then press it into the face and neck rather than dragging it across the skin.

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59 of 65 explained

Purified Water solvent: Water is the base almost every serum, toner and cream is built on. It dissolves the water-loving ingredients and sets how light the finished texture feels. On an INCI list it is usually first, which only means it is the largest single ingredient by weight.
Butylene Glycol humectant: Butylene Glycol is a small glycol that does two jobs at once: it holds water in the top layer of skin and it dissolves plant extracts and actives that plain water cannot. It also thins a formula, which is why watery Korean essences lean on it.
Propanediol humectant: Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in place of propylene glycol. It hydrates, carries actives into solution, and gives a lighter, less sticky slip than glycerin at the same strength.
Glycerin humectant: Glycerin is the most used humectant in skincare. It draws water into the outer layer of skin and holds it there, and it is one of the very few ingredients whose hydrating effect is settled science rather than marketing. Higher amounts feel tacky, which is why it is usually blended.
Niacinamide (40,000 Ppm) active: Niacinamide is vitamin B3, and it is the most studied active in Korean formulation. It is used at roughly 2 to 5 percent for the look of uneven tone and visible pores, and it is water soluble, stable and comfortable beside almost every other active, which is why it turns up in so many lists.
Isopentyldiol solvent: Isopentyldiol is a glycol used as a light solvent and humectant. It thins a formula, keeps extracts dissolved and leaves a dry finish.
1,2-Hexanediol humectant: 1,2-Hexanediol is a glycol used for two reasons: it holds water like glycerin, and it makes a formula harder for microbes to live in, so less traditional preservative is needed. Korean formulas use it heavily for that second reason.
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin) emollient: Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin) is a synthetic hydrocarbon emollient. It gives a smooth, silicone-like glide and is completely stable, so it does not go rancid.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emollient: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the light fraction of coconut oil, with the heavy parts removed. It is the workhorse emollient of modern formulas: it softens skin, dissolves oil-soluble actives and absorbs without the greasy weight of a whole plant oil.
Isononyl Isononanoate emollient: Isononyl Isononanoate is a branched ester used as a dry emollient. It spreads far for its weight and leaves almost no residue, which is why it appears in formulas that have to feel weightless.
Squalane emollient: Squalane is the stable, saturated version of squalene, a lipid human skin already makes. It is a light emollient that absorbs quickly, does not oxidise, and is one of the few oils widely considered safe for blemish-prone skin. Most cosmetic squalane is now from sugarcane or olive rather than shark.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate/VP Copolymer thickener: This is a synthetic thickener that gels quickly and holds an emulsion stable across a wide pH range. It gives a light, non-tacky body.

47 more explained

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer thickener: This is a carbomer relative with fatty side chains, so it thickens and stabilises an emulsion at the same time. It gives a light gel-cream body rather than a heavy one.
Arginine amino acid: Arginine is an amino acid that does two jobs here: it holds water in the outer layer of skin, and it neutralises acidic gelling agents, which is why it often stands in for a synthetic pH adjuster.
Trehalose humectant: Trehalose is a sugar that some desert plants use to survive drying out. In skincare it is a humectant that holds water in the outer layer and helps a formula feel comfortable rather than tight.
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer thickener: This is the thickener behind most gel-cream textures. It builds a soft, bouncy gel that collapses to a light fluid as it is rubbed in.
Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer thickener: An acrylic copolymer used to thicken water into a gel and to hold an emulsion stable.
Dextrin thickener: Dextrin is a starch fragment used to thicken and to give a formula a light, powdery finish. It is also a common carrier for powdered extracts.
Xanthan Gum thickener: Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide made by fermenting sugar. It thickens a watery formula into a gel and holds the whole thing in suspension so nothing separates. Too much of it and a serum turns stringy, which is why it appears in fractions of a percent.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (1,000 Ppm) antioxidant: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a stable vitamin C derivative that skin converts to ascorbic acid. It survives in a formula far better than pure vitamin C and works at a gentler pH, so it suits skin that finds the pure acid uncomfortable.
Cetearyl Olivate emulsifier: Cetearyl Olivate is the water-loving half of the olive-derived emulsifier pair. With sorbitan olivate it builds emulsions whose lipid profile is close to skin's own.
Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer film former: A polymer built from castor oil. It forms a flexible, glossy film, so it is used in lip and long-wear formulas for shine and staying power.
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract plant extract: Chinese goldthread root, a traditional herbal ingredient carrying berberine. It is bright yellow and is used in formulas aimed at the look of congested skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin preservative booster: Ethylhexylglycerin softens skin and boosts a preservative system, which is why it is nearly always sitting beside phenoxyethanol or 1,2-hexanediol. It also cuts down the odour bacteria produce, so it turns up in deodorising products.
Sorbitan Olivate emulsifier: Sorbitan Olivate is an olive-derived emulsifier, the oil-loving half of the pair sold as Olivem. It holds oil into water and leaves a light, non-waxy feel.
Canola Oil emollient: Canola Oil is pressed from rapeseed. It is a light, high-oleic oil used to soften skin and to carry oil-soluble ingredients.
Cyclodextrin solvent: A ring-shaped sugar with a hollow centre. Formulas use it to hold an oil, a fragrance or an unstable active inside the ring, which keeps it stable and slows its release.
Sodium Phytate chelator: Sodium Phytate is a rice-derived chelator used in place of EDTA. It ties up trace metals so the formula stays stable and its colour and scent hold.
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer film former: This is a polymer that forms a moisture-holding film on the surface, usually supplied with glycerin and propylene glycol as a hydrating complex.
Sorbitan Isostearate emulsifier: Sorbitan Isostearate is a mild emulsifier that holds water into oil, the direction a cleansing balm or an oil-based cream needs.
Protease (100 Ppm)* active: Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein. In a cleanser or peel it loosens the protein bonds holding dead surface cells together, which is a gentler route to smoothness than an acid or a scrub.
Caprylyl Glycol preservative booster: Caprylyl Glycol is a glycol that conditions skin and, more importantly, strengthens a preservative system so less of the traditional preservative is needed. It appears in most modern formulas built without parabens.
Pvm/Ma Copolymer film former: PVM/MA Copolymer is a film-forming polymer used to hold a formula in place and, in a mask, to give the peel-off film its strength.
Carbomer thickener: Carbomer is a synthetic polymer that only gels once a base neutralises it, which is why arginine or tromethamine sits nearby on the list. It gives the clear, non-stringy gel texture a xanthan formula cannot reach.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (10.3 Ppm) antioxidant: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is an oil-soluble vitamin C ester, also sold as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Being oil soluble it sits in the oil phase and is far more stable than pure vitamin C.
Tocopheryl Acetate antioxidant: Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable vitamin E ester that skin converts to tocopherol. It is used as an antioxidant and a light emollient and holds up better than plain vitamin E in a formula.
Beta-Carotene antioxidant: Beta-Carotene is an orange plant pigment and a vitamin A precursor. It is used as an antioxidant and it tints a formula, which is often why it is there.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emollient: Sunflower Seed Oil is high in linoleic acid, the fatty acid dry and blemish-prone skin is often short of. It is a light, non-fragrant emollient and one of the better tolerated plant oils.
Amodimethicone silicone: A silicone carrying a positive charge, so it is drawn to damaged hair and stays after rinsing. It is a conditioning silicone rather than a slip agent.
Glucose humectant: Glucose is a simple sugar used as a humectant and as food for the ferment ingredients in the same formula. It hydrates mildly and adds a soft slip.
Sodium Hyaluronate humectant: Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid, and it is what most products labelled hyaluronic actually contain. The salt dissolves more readily and the molecule is smaller, so it sits in the outer layer of skin rather than only on top of it.
Panthenol humectant: Panthenol is pro-vitamin B5: skin converts it to pantothenic acid. It is a humectant that holds water and leaves skin feeling soft and less tight, and it is one of the ingredients formulators reach for when a formula also contains something harsh.
Irish Moss Extract plant extract: Chondrus Crispus is Irish moss, a red seaweed. It is loaded with carrageenan, so it hydrates and thickens at once, and it leaves a cushioned, slippery film.
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate humectant: Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate carries a positive charge, and skin carries a slight negative one, so it is attracted to the surface and stays through rinsing. It is the hyaluronic used where a formula gets washed off.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (0.1001 Ppm) antioxidant: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a water-soluble, stable vitamin C salt. It works at near-neutral pH, so it appears in formulas aimed at skin that pure ascorbic acid leaves stinging.
Tocopherol antioxidant: Tocopherol is vitamin E. It is an oil-soluble antioxidant that protects the oils in a formula from going rancid and works on skin as an emollient, and it is regularly paired with vitamin C because each keeps the other going for longer.
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (0.1 Ppm) antioxidant: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable, water-soluble vitamin C salt. It works at a near-neutral pH, so it suits formulas built for skin that finds pure ascorbic acid stinging.
Glutathione antioxidant: Glutathione is a small peptide the body uses as one of its main antioxidants. In skincare it is used as an antioxidant and for the look of dullness; it is unstable in water, so formulas that carry it are usually built around protecting it.
Ferulic Acid antioxidant: Ferulic Acid is a plant antioxidant from bran and seeds. Its main formulation job is stabilising vitamins C and E so a serum keeps working for longer, which is why the three appear together so often.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid humectant: Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid cut into much shorter fragments. The smaller the fragment, the further into the outer layer it can settle, which is why serums stack several sizes together instead of using one.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate humectant: Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid modified to be part oil-loving, so it clings to skin instead of rinsing away. Formulators call it the one that stays put.
Cyanocobalamin vitamin: Cyanocobalamin is vitamin B12, and it is a deep pink-red, which is why a formula carrying it often has a colour nobody added on purpose. It is used as a conditioning vitamin.
Gluconolactone exfoliant: Gluconolactone is a PHA, the gentlest exfoliant class. Its molecule is too large to penetrate quickly, so it smooths the surface without the sting of an AHA, and it is a humectant at the same time.
Hyaluronic Acid humectant: Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar chain the body already makes, and one gram of it can hold several litres of water. In a formula it is a humectant that pulls water to the surface of skin and holds it in a film, which is what makes skin look plumper while it is there.
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer humectant: Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is hyaluronic acid linked into a mesh. It holds water in a soft gel on the surface rather than sinking in, and it releases that water slowly through the day.
Potassium Hyaluronate humectant: Potassium Hyaluronate is another salt of hyaluronic acid, used for the same reason as the sodium form: it dissolves easily and holds a large amount of water in the outer layer of skin.
Linolenic Acid fatty acid: Linolenic Acid is an omega-3 fatty acid from seed oils. It is an emollient and part of the lipid mix skin uses in its own surface layer.
Linoleic Acid fatty acid: Linoleic Acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid and the main fatty acid in sunflower, safflower and rosehip oil. In a formula it is a lipid that softens and sits in the outer layer.
Ascorbic Acid (0.001 Ppb) antioxidant: Ascorbic Acid is pure vitamin C, the most researched form and also the least stable: it needs a low pH and airtight packaging to stay active. It is an antioxidant used for the look of dullness and uneven tone.

Inside the formula

Ingredients declared

No fragrance

on the list

Worth knowing

Patch test this cream on a small area and wait a day before using it more widely, especially with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid on the list.
Gluconolactone on this list makes this cream an exfoliating step, so do not stack it with another one on the same night.

Complete the routine

This iteminnisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream 80ml$55.00
From the same Korean-market lineinnisfree My Hair Recipe Strength Shampoo 330ml$17.50
The treatment step of this routineinnisfree My Hair Recipe Strength Tonic Essence 100ml$15.00

Total for 3 items$87.50

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innisfree Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Cream 80ml

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innisfree, Korean-market original

The Original Korean Formula cream from innisfree, 80ml formulated with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide, shipped from California or direct from Korea.

Verify your unit when it arrives

Korean-market stock with the original barcode and batch code intact, exactly as it left Korea.

On the unit itself

The Korean-market barcode, unaltered from the retail package.
The manufacturer’s batch code, exactly as the maker printed it.

정품Genuine article, Korean-market stock

What professionals say

What skin-care professionals say about skin care, quoted from the medical sources linked beside each.

Your skin barrier is basically your outer layer of the skin.
Melissa Piliang, MDDermatologist, Cleveland Clinic
Pretty much every step of a Korean skin care routine is going to have some component of hydration.
Alok Vij, MDDermatologist, Cleveland Clinic