Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
A Korean brightening serum from Dr. Althea built on sea buckthorn water instead of plain water — a berry with more than three times the vitamin C of a lemon. On top of that sits a 20% vitamin complex plus tranexamic acid and alpha-arbutin, so dark spots get hit from four directions at once instead of one.
Eight forms of hyaluronic acid keep it watery and non-sticky, and ceramide NP with bisabolol keeps it gentle enough for sensitive skin. EWG Green Grade, vegan, fragrance-free. 30ml.
- Fades Dark Spots Four Different Ways — vitamin C, tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, and niacinamide each interrupt pigment at a different point. Most serums do one. This is why it works on marks that haven't budged for other products.
- Sea Buckthorn Base — Not Just Water — the whole formula is built on sea buckthorn water, a berry with over 3x the vitamin C of lemons. More actives in the same bottle.
- Brightens Dull, Uneven Skin — the 20% vitamin complex with niacinamide and panthenol evens out tone and brings back the brightness that flat, tired skin loses.
- Watery and Non-Sticky — eight types of hyaluronic acid hydrate at different depths without the tackiness most vitamin C serums leave. Layers cleanly under makeup. Reviewers mention this constantly.
- Gentle Enough for Sensitive Skin — ceramide NP rebuilds the barrier, bifida ferment supports the microbiome, and bisabolol calms irritation. That's what keeps a high-strength vitamin C serum from stinging.
- CoQ10 + Adenosine — Firms and Smooths — two forms of CoQ10 for antioxidant protection, plus adenosine working on fine lines. Brightening and anti-aging in one step.
Who it's for
Dark spots, post-acne marks, sun damage, and dull uneven tone. Anyone who's tried vitamin C before and found it too sticky or too irritating — this one is built to avoid both.
Fragrance-free and vegan. Safe for sensitive skin, though it's still an active serum, so start every other day if you're new to vitamin C.
More from Olive Kollection
Browse our vitamin C collection or shop all K-beauty.
Authentic Korean skincare at Olive Kollection since 2018 — free US shipping on orders $40+.
Apply 2-3 drops onto a cleansed face after toner step. Gently pat in for absorption. Follow up with sunscreen for AM step.
Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Laminaria Japonica (Kelp) Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Alpha-Arbutin, Tocopherol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Bisabolol, Ubiquinone, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.