Buying a New Brightening Cream – Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Moisturizer May Be the Answer to Your Prayers
What it is: A brightening moisturizer enriched with vitamin C and a host of antioxidants and humectants designed to plump, brighten and hydrate skin with every use.
What it does: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Moisturizer targets loss of firmness, dark spots and uneven skin tone, dryness and signs of age.
What we like:
Fragrance-free
Powerful formula
Smooth, creamy texture
Skin doesn’t feel heavy
It’s super moisturizing
Absorbs easily and doesn’t leave a greasy residue
What we don’t like:
Expensive compared to other whitening creams
Strong smell
The packaging could be better as it allows bacteria and air to enter, which degrades the active substances in the formula
It may not provide a good canvas for the foundation
Price: $72 for 1.7 oz
As a big fan of vitamin C and a sensitive skin care enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for products that use this active as a major selling point. So let me start by explaining why I want to use a heavy-duty antioxidant-rich skin care product.
Most importantly, living in a dirty city, I need to protect my skin from pollution with powerful antioxidants. Secondly, I’ve been struggling with past outbreaks of dark spots and I’m on a mission to brighten my complexion. And last but not least, who wouldn’t want to increase collagen and keep their skin soft and fresh?
When I was working with a team of beauty editors to research the best creams for hyperpigmentation, Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer caught my eye for its up to 10% THD ascorbic acid (a stable form of vitamin C), so I had to obviously give it a try. I immediately rushed to Sephora, as eager as a kid in a candy store to get my hands on this coveted moisturizer. With my heart racing, I grabbed it off the shelf, eager to get home and apply it to my skin.
After all the hard work, did it deliver on its promise? In the grand scheme of things, Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Moisturizer provided me with A-grade antioxidant protection, improved the appearance of uneven skin tone, firmness and restored fullness. Read on to see more test insights, before and after results, and whether this moisturizer is right for you.
About My Skin: Easily Congested
My skin seems to be perpetually prone to congestion and acne, so finding a moisturizer that doesn’t break me out can be daunting. I prefer lightweight formulas that don’t leave me greasy or clog my pores, so I prefer moisturizers that are free of acne-causing oils, synthetic fragrances, lanolin, and polyethylene glycols. I also have some dark spots from acne, especially on my cheeks, which is why I’m addicted to products that support brightness and promote even tone.
Feel: Intensely moisturizing, silky smooth
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer has a silky texture and an intensely moisturizing consistency that feels light and absorbs immediately. I love how it envelops my skin in a moisture cocoon without leaving stickiness or any orange residue. The orange-toned creamy moisturizer gets its color naturally from vitamin C and turmeric root extract, a broth-whitening antioxidant.
The first thing to note, however, is the smell that most people find unpleasant. There is indeed a strong scent in the moisturizer, but it’s not that bad IMO. it smells like clove and comes from the formulation ingredients, as the moisturizer contains no fragrance or essential oils.
Even though I found the cream to be light in texture, some reviewers still claim it has a sticky, gooey and waxy consistency. Therefore, it does not provide a good canvas for the foundation. As for myself, I have no problem with this, but I guess it all comes down to each person’s preference.
Formulation: Rich in antioxidants and moisturizing sealants
The main ingredients in Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C moisturizer are 10% THD, 3% Vitamin E and 2% Ferulic Acid. What does this mean? A huge antioxidant defense and lots of protection from sun damage and pollution – just what I need for my daily skincare routine.
THD: Nominally Active Tetrahexyl Decyl Ascorbate is a highly stable form of vitamin C that is oil soluble (which means it has excellent skin penetration) and works in a higher pH range (i.e. gentler). It is a potent antioxidant that, due to its oil solubility, neutralizes free radicals that damage skin lipids. In addition, it works well to brighten dark spots and stimulate collagen growth. [1]
Vitamin E: A potent antioxidant with emollient properties, vitamin E scavenges harmful free radicals and helps prevent collagen and elastin breakdown while softening the skin. [2]
Ferulic acid: Also an antioxidant, ferulic acid has been found to stabilize vitamins C and E and double their photoprotective effects. [3]
In addition, the formula contains hydrolyzed collagen and elastin, which act like moisturizers to draw water molecules into the skin, adding moisture and smoothing out fine lines. The moisturizing effect is enhanced by sodium hyaluronate, a small molecule type of hyaluronic acid that draws water molecules into the skin. There’s also shea butter and amino acids that help soothe, promote cell repair and lock in moisture.
But that’s not the case. This moisturizer really stands alone when it comes to brightening skin. It’s not all thanks to vitamin C, although it does most of the heavy lifting. Polyhydroxy acids (gluconolactone) and alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic acid) enhance the effect. Both are exfoliating agents that remove pigment cells and brighten the surface. Diamond powder further promotes exfoliation, subtly removing dead cells that have built up on the skin’s surface.
Immediate Wrinkle Filling Effect
Okay, in the long run, this moisturizer works to reduce signs of aging and dark spots, but even more impressively, it fades wrinkles immediately after application. That’s because the cream contains oxytocin (polymethylsesquioxane), which is basically a silicone that acts as a glue to pull the skin and fill in wrinkles, giving the illusion of a baby-soft and firming complexion. It’s like giving your skin a facelift in a jar, only the effect is temporary and disappears as you wash off the cream.
Gentle enough for anyone to use
Considering the amount of moisturizing and soothing ingredients in Peter Thomas Roth moisturizer, it’s no surprise that it works so delicately on my skin without irritating or drying it out, despite the effective formula. But don’t just take my word for it. The reviews speak for themselves. Customers with sensitive, dry, oily and even acne-prone skin rave about how gentle it is and how it doesn’t cause breakouts or peeling.
The results: I was impressed
When I first used Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Moisturizer, I was amazed at how smooth and deeply moisturized it felt on my face. Once I massaged it into my skin, it felt comfortable and smooth. Instead of leaving my skin greasy and shiny, it gives my skin a subtle, natural glow that lasts all day. I also love how the moisturizer looks under my BB cream. It helps it adhere to my skin better and stay on longer. In other words, it’s also like a primer.
The moisturizer also proved to be a gentle giant as it glided onto my face like a dream and never caused any adverse reactions such as redness, dryness or irritation. Talk about stretching a dollar! A little goes a long way, so it only takes a nickel’s worth to give my face the moisture and glow it needs. For someone addicted to vitamin C, you can imagine my delight when I saw that the moisturizer paired perfectly with my go-to serum (also rich in vitamin C) and didn’t cause any breakouts. I like to apply a thick layer to my morning routine, but it’s also versatile enough to be used before bed as well.
TEST INSIGHT: I feel like this moisturizer keeps my skin hydrated enough to keep my sebaceous glands from overworking and producing too much sebum, which is a huge boon for me. I’ve been using it for the past four weeks and I can see an improvement in moisture and brightness.”
Conclusion: Beloved for a reason
This moisturizer has captured the hearts of skincare enthusiasts and now it has captured mine for obvious reasons – it delivers on its promise. It strikes the perfect balance between hydration and luminosity, leaving skin glowing and radiant with a healthy glow. As an added bonus, this moisturizer is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin.
The standard 1.7 ounce container of Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Bright & Plump Moisturizer retails for $72, so it’s priced higher than many moisturizers. It’s slightly on the high side compared to what I usually pay, but I bought it at an 18% discount, so I saved a little cash. However, if you can afford to splurge, it’s worth it because of how good it is at hydrating and brightening your skin. Overall, I was surprised by this moisturizer and how well it worked on my skin, so I’m now convinced.
