Youth To The People · Moisturizer
15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
Liquid cosmetic serum with lower PFAS concern by material.
Vitamin C serum formulations typically contain water, humectants, and active botanicals without PFAS-containing coatings. No brand disclosure on PFAS; packaging materials not specified.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, glycerin, vitamin C, caffeine in serum base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 15% Vitamin C + Clean Energy Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
This is a liquid serum formulation built on water and glycerin as the base, with vitamin C (likely L-ascorbic acid or a stabilized derivative) and caffeine as active ingredients. None of these core materials carry established toxicity concerns at cosmetic use levels. Glycerin is a humectant that does not leach or degrade; vitamin C and caffeine are small-molecule actives that do not accumulate in tissue at topical doses. The serum format means no heating during use and no metal or ceramic contact, eliminating cookware and thermal-degradation pathways.
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.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Product name does not indicate fragrance; full ingredient list would clarify whether fragrance compounds are present. If fragrance is used, individual sensitization is possible but not a hazard of the product itself. Brand generally discloses fragrance presence.
1,4-dioxane as synthetic byproduct
Water-based serums may contain trace 1,4-dioxane if ethoxylated emulsifiers are used (common in some cosmetics). Youth To The People's disclosure does not flag this; industry-standard water-glycerin formulas typically minimize ethoxylate use, but testing data is not public.
Microbial growth in multi-use container
Aqueous serums with water as primary solvent are susceptible to bacterial or fungal growth if container is contaminated or product is stored improperly. This is a storage and use issue, not a formulation hazard. Use clean applicator and keep lid sealed.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public disclosure of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, etc.) in Youth To The People serum lines. Aqueous serums typically use phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, or benzoic acid, which do not release formaldehyde.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Vitamin C actives and glycerin are not pigments and do not typically carry heavy metal contamination. No established recalls or testing findings for this brand's vitamin C serums.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Youth To The People is known for ingredient transparency and has published full ingredient lists across product lines without major undisclosed claims. The brand has not faced significant recalls or regulatory action related to cosmetic safety. No established history of formulation corners or controversial preservatives in their serum lines. Brand stance on PFAS is silent, consistent with the cosmetics industry norm; their PFAS grade of 85/100 reflects the lower inherent risk of aqueous serums without waterproofing coatings or fluorinated actives.
How it compares in its category
Vitamin C serums are a standard skincare category; this formulation is mid-market in price and positioning. Compared to alternatives, water-glycerin bases are among the lowest-concern formats; oil-based or silicone serums may carry different VOC or siloxane profiles, while powder or encapsulated forms add manufacturing complexity. Youth To The People's serum sits in a conventional, well-regulated space with no material differentiation in hazard profile versus established competitors in this price tier.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place to preserve vitamin C potency; direct sunlight degrades ascorbic acid over time, reducing efficacy but not creating a safety issue. Use within 6-12 months of opening, as vitamin C oxidizes in air and water-based serums can support microbial growth if contaminated. Apply to clean skin and follow with moisturizer; no special precautions are needed. Discontinue if irritation occurs; caffeine and vitamin C can cause mild redness in sensitive skin, but this is a tolerance issue, not a toxicity signal.
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
- Youth To The People has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum?
- Plant oils, butters, waxes
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- 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.