Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
Lower concern. Liquid cosmetic serum unlikely to contain PFAS.
Derma E's vitamin C serum is a liquid formulation with no known PFAS-associated materials. No brand disclosure on PFAS; no public lab data available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, glycerin, vitamin C, preservatives in liquid serum
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Vitamin C Concentrated Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
This is a liquid serum composed primarily of water and glycerin (humectants that draw moisture into skin), stabilized vitamin C (ascorbic acid or a derivative), and preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Glycerin and water are inert and well-tolerated by skin. The critical safety variable is the preservative package, common choices in this category are phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, or parabens. Derma E's specific preservative blend is not disclosed in typical marketing materials, but the brand has positioned itself as paraben-free and uses relatively mild preservative systems.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Parabens
Derma E markets as paraben-free, but the specific preservative is not disclosed on standard labels. Phenoxyethanol and some sorbates cause contact sensitization in a small percentage of users. Risk is typical for liquid cosmetics.
Source, FDA ↗Oxidation and product breakdown over time
Vitamin C serums are inherently unstable in water. Derma E does not publish stability data or shelf-life validation. Users report discoloration and loss of efficacy after 6-12 months, though toxicity from oxidized vitamin C is not established; efficacy loss is the main concern.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (trace contaminant in preservatives)
1,4-dioxane can be a byproduct of some preservative manufacture. No testing or recalls of this product for dioxane contamination have been published. Risk depends on supplier sourcing, which Derma E does not disclose.
Fragrance allergen or undisclosed fragrance constituents
This serum does not list fragrance as an ingredient, reducing allergen risk. Some vitamin C serums include botanical extracts that contain naturally-occurring allergens; Derma E's formula appears minimal on this front.
Heavy metals
Vitamin C can be sourced from plants or synthesized chemically. No regulatory action or independent testing of this specific serum for lead, cadmium, or arsenic has been published. Standard cosmetic-grade vitamin C poses low risk.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Derma E is a cruelty-free, vegan-marketed skincare line owned by Schiff Nutrition. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety testing summaries on its website, though it emphasizes clean formulation principles. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to this serum appear in FDA or CPSC records. The brand's PFAS stance is not explicitly published, but the liquid serum format and water-glycerin base make PFAS inclusion unlikely.
How it compares in its category
Vitamin C serums are a mature cosmetic category with consistent formulation patterns. Derma E's water-glycerin-preservative approach is standard and less risky than oil-based or alcohol-heavy alternatives. Many competitors (Timeless, The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay) use similar preservative strategies. The lack of fragrance, essential oils, or colorants in this serum reduces allergen exposure compared to some alternatives in the category.
If you buy it
Store the bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to preserve vitamin C potency and prevent preservative degradation. Do not heat or microwave the product. Once opened, use within 6-12 months; vitamin C oxidizes over time and loses efficacy. If the serum develops discoloration, cloudiness, or odor, discard it. Derma E does not publish stability or safety retest intervals, so consumer vigilance is necessary.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Derma E has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Vitamin C Concentrated Serum?
- Plant oils, butters, waxes
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water, oils, glycerin, botanical extracts
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens (botanical extracts)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More moisturizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.