COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum by COSRX
COSRX

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

Serums

Safety score

Pregnancy-focused assessment

Low Risk78/100
Higher concernLower concern

One or more ingredients have a low-risk flag in MamaSkin's current assessment. Review the notes and your own circumstances.

Formula and assessment check

Ingredient safety review updated 22 January 2026. Product formulas can change, so compare the ingredients shown here with the packaging you have.

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Ingredient breakdown

See how the listed formula falls across MamaSkin's pregnancy-focused risk bands.

31

No known risks

3

Low risk

0

Medium risk

0

High risk

Ingredients

Ingredients with a higher risk flag appear first, followed by the rest of the formula.

Dimethicone

Low Risk

Dimethicone is a silicone polymer used as a skin protectant and slip/conditioning agent. It is considered inert with minimal dermal absorption; the main practical issues are cosmetic (feel) and occasional irritation in very sensitive users. It is not a pregnancy-specific concern in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Dimethicone, Methicone, and related ingredients as used in cosmetics (Methicones report; 2019/2022 update); EU CosIng entry for Dimethicone.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Low Risk

Pregnancy concerns around licorice are based mainly on high oral glycyrrhizin intake, which has been linked to shorter gestation and cortisol-related effects in offspring; by contrast, licorice root extracts have been assessed as safe as used in cosmetics, so routine topical skincare exposure fits a cautious low-risk classification.

Sources: CIR safe-as-used assessment for licorice cosmetic ingredients; Strandberg et al. 2002 on preterm birth with heavy oral licorice intake; Räikkönen et al. 2010 on cortisol-related offspring effects after prenatal oral glycyrrhizin exposure

Methyl Trimethicone

Low Risk

A lightweight volatile linear silicone used as a solvent and texture ingredient. Related linear methicone ingredients have reassuring cosmetic safety assessments, but an exact final Cosmetic Ingredient Review finding for Methyl Trimethicone was not located. MamaSkin classifies it as low risk because exact-ingredient pregnancy and inhalation data are limited, while no specific pregnancy contraindication has been identified for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Methicone and Substituted-Methicone Polymers https://cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-dimethicone-methicone-and-substituted-methicone-polymers-used-cosm; CIR Quick Reference Table December 2025

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Water

No Known Risks

Ascorbic Acid 23%

No Known Risks

Vitamin C antioxidant used to support brightness and photoprotection; functions as an antioxidant/pH adjuster in cosmetic formulas. No pregnancy-specific contraindications are identified for topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR (Ascorbic Acid); PubMed (NLM)

Propanediol

No Known Risks

Solvent and humectant used to improve texture and ingredient solubility. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Tromethamine

No Known Risks

pH adjuster and buffer used to stabilise formulations. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Panthenol

No Known Risks

Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) is used for soothing and barrier support and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

No Known Risks

A stable ether derivative of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and brightening ingredient. Pregnancy-specific topical studies are limited, but no pregnancy-specific contraindication was identified in the reviewed literature. Published case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis, so local sensitivity remains possible and this classification should not be read as proof that irritation cannot occur.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Ethers of Ascorbic Acid https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/ethers_of_ascorbate.pdf; PubMed: 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid topical delivery https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517290/; PubMed: allergic contact dermatitis case report https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24846587/

Squalane

No Known Risks

Lightweight emollient used to support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Caffeine

No Known Risks

Methylxanthine used in cosmetics (e.g., de-puffing/firming and antioxidant support). No pregnancy-specific contraindications are identified for topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR (Methylxanthines); PubMed (NLM)

Sodium Chloride

No Known Risks

Sodium chloride is used to adjust viscosity and texture in formulations; topical cosmetic use is considered low concern with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Sodium Hyaluronate

No Known Risks

Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid salt) is used for hydration and cushioning, with very low systemic absorption from topical use and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns at cosmetic concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Sodium Sulfite

No Known Risks

An antioxidant and reducing agent used to protect formula stability. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that sodium sulfite is safe in current practices. Sulfite-sensitive users may still experience irritation or allergy.

Sources: CIR: Sodium Sulfite conclusion; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Disodium EDTA

No Known Risks

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used to improve formula stability and performance; it is considered low concern in topical cosmetic use, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at typical concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Glutathione

No Known Risks

Adenosine

No Known Risks

Skin-conditioning ingredient commonly used in leave-on skincare. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Adenosine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Acetyl Glucosamine

No Known Risks

An amino-sugar derivative used for skin conditioning and hydration. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that acetyl glucosamine is safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating. No pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical cosmetic exposure.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Glucosamine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-glucosamine-ingredients-used-cosmetics-1

Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract

No Known Risks

Allantoin

No Known Risks

Allantoin is a soothing skin protectant commonly used to help reduce irritation and support comfort, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Dextrin

No Known Risks

Starch-derived polysaccharide used as a binder, film former and texture support ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.

Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for polysaccharides/starch-derived ingredients; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Tocotrienols

No Known Risks

Tocopherol

No Known Risks

Vitamin E antioxidant used to protect oils and support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

No Known Risks

A plant-derived fatty oil or butter used mainly as an emollient, conditioning ingredient or texture agent. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed plant-derived fatty acid oils are safe in current practices of use and concentration. This conclusion applies to cosmetic-grade fixed oils rather than similarly named volatile essential oils. Seed or food allergy may still matter for a susceptible person.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=ad62ac6b-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

Butylene Glycol

No Known Risks

Solvent and humectant commonly used in leave-on products. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Arginine

No Known Risks

Amino acid used as a humectant, skin-conditioning agent, and pH-adjusting support ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of α-Amino Acids as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Niacinamide

No Known Risks

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is widely used for barrier support and tone/texture benefits, and is generally considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used topically at cosmetic concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Pentylene Glycol

No Known Risks

Humectant and preservative booster. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Alcohol Denat.

No Known Risks

Volatile solvent used to improve texture, drying time, and penetration in some formulas. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support current cosmetic use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern identified in the material reviewed; the main practical issue is dryness, stinging, or barrier disruption in some users.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of SD Alcohol 40, Benzyl Alcohol, and Denatured Alcohol in Cosmetic Products; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

No Known Risks

Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil is a common emollient rich in fatty acids and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

No Known Risks

This plant-derived fatty oil or butter is used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review concluded that assessed plant-derived fatty acid oils are safe as used in cosmetics; individual plant allergy and ingredient purity remain practical considerations.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=ad62ac6b-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil

No Known Risks

This plant-derived fatty oil or butter is used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review concluded that assessed plant-derived fatty acid oils are safe as used in cosmetics; individual plant allergy and ingredient purity remain practical considerations.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=ad62ac6b-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

No Known Risks

Beta-Carotene

No Known Risks

Formulations can change without notice. For the most accurate result, compare this list with your packaging and scan the exact ingredient label in MamaSkin when you repurchase.

How to use this assessment

The risk band is the primary conclusion. The score adds detail within that band and should not be used to compare products as if a one-point difference were clinically meaningful.

MamaSkin provides pregnancy-focused information, not medical advice. Your midwife, GP, pharmacist or dermatologist should take priority when your circumstances differ from typical cosmetic use.

Read the full methodology