Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum by Dr. Althea
Dr. Althea

Gentle Vitamin C Serum

Serums

99/100
No known risks

Pregnancy-focused rating

No higher-risk flags in the assessed ingredients. This is a screening result, not a guarantee of pregnancy safety.

20 of 20 ingredients rated

Is it suitable during pregnancy?

MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum as No known risks (99/100). This screening result is not a guarantee of safety for every pregnancy.

Why this rating?

No higher-risk ingredient flags are shown in the assessed entries. Ingredients without a matched rating are marked Not assessed, not No known risks.

20 of 20 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.

How we assess products

Ingredient breakdown

The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.

Ingredient ratings and evidence

Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.

Water

No known risks

Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.

Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water

No known risks

An aqueous distillate obtained by steam-distilling sea-buckthorn fruit, not plain water, seed oil or a concentrated fruit extract. No pregnancy-specific harm has been identified from ordinary topical cosmetic use; direct studies of this exact distillate in pregnancy are limited. The assessment relies on its dilute distillate preparation and topical exposure, not a claim of clinical pregnancy testing. Cosmetic purity, preservation and source-allergy controls remain important. Oral supplements and medicinal dosing are excluded.

Sources: https://kcia.or.kr/cid/search/ingd_view.php?no=23242

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

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)

1,2-Hexanediol

No known risks

1,2-Hexanediol is commonly used as a solvent and preservative booster; topical exposure is low and it has no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns at cosmetic concentrations, though very sensitive skin may occasionally react.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Show all 20 ingredients

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water

No known risks

A water derived from green tea leaves and used for skin conditioning. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that Camellia sinensis leaf water is safe in current practices when formulated to be non-sensitising.

Sources: CIR: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water conclusion, IJT 38(Suppl. 3), 2019; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

No known risks

Common emollient derived from fatty acids and glycerin. Used to soften skin and improve texture without pregnancy-specific concerns.

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

Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer

No known risks

A high-molecular-weight polymer used for film formation, texture or stabilisation. Meaningful dermal absorption is expected to be limited and no reproductive or developmental concern was identified for normal topical use.

Sources: CIR safety framework for cosmetic polymers; European Commission CosIng.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

No known risks

Polymer thickener and stabiliser used in creams and sunscreens. Low systemic exposure expected.

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

Xanthan Gum

No known risks

Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.

Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework

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/

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

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

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

Bifida Ferment Filtrate

No known risks

A fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredient used for conditioning or formula support. Composition depends on the organism, substrate and manufacturing controls. No pregnancy-specific reproductive or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical exposure; ingestion is outside this classification.

Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; CIR safety framework for microbial, fermentation-derived and biological-source cosmetic ingredients.

Ethylhexylglycerin

No known risks

Preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure when used as intended.

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

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)

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract

No known risks

A tea-tree leaf extract used for skin conditioning and antimicrobial support. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed Melaleuca alternifolia-derived ingredients are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-sensitising. This leaf extract is distinct from concentrated tea-tree essential oil, although botanical allergy remains possible.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Melaleuca alternifolia-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=e1f5b6e9-8c74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

Caprylyl Glycol

No known risks

Humectant and preservative booster used to support product stability. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.

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

Full recorded ingredient list

Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol

Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.

Questions about this assessment

Why does Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum have a No known risks rating?

No higher-risk ingredient flags are shown in the assessed entries. Ingredients without a matched rating are marked Not assessed, not No known risks. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.

Does the niacinamide rating cover every ingredient in this product?

No. Niacinamide appears in the recorded formula, but its individual rating applies to that ingredient, not automatically to the whole product. Check the other ingredient ratings, any grey Not assessed entries and the stored product assessment. A niacinamide percentage or a product name is not a substitute for checking the full list.

Has every ingredient in Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum been assessed?

20 of 20 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.

Does this assessment apply to my Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum?

Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.

Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?

No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.