Is Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 72%.

What is Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum's Guru Score?

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum holds a Guru Score of 72%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 6 expert reviewers we have collected.

Peter Thomas Roth

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum.

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Serums

About this product

A serum from Peter Thomas Roth built around 20% THD ascorbate, a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, with vitamin E and ferulic acid, designed to brighten skin and help guard against free radical damage.

Full ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Ferulic Acid, Squalane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol

Guru Score

72%

Mixed

6 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Its creamy, lotion-like texture is what gurus keep returning to, and it suits dry skin especially well in winter. That THD ascorbate form earns praise for being easier on sensitive skin than pure vitamin C, though the research behind derivatives draws some doubt. The one thing to keep in mind is price, which comes up alongside a strong smell, though several gurus still recommend it.

Synthesized from 6 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

Silky, lightweight formula that layers well

What they flagged

Noticeably expensive
Funky smell

Type

SerumsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C Hyaluronic acidVitamin ESqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Jenny Liu

323k subs

~Yay

"Peter Thomas Roth has a really creamy vitamin C that I really love."

All 4 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

Dermatologist updated Morning Skincare Routine | Tips for winter and layering skincare

"The one that I'm currently using is from Peter Thomas Roth, 20% THD ascorbate, and is definitely a very creamy texture, so really great for those who have dry and sensitive skin. It's almost like a light lotion texture. When it comes to THD ascorbate vitamin C's, they're not as finicky, they're a lot more stable. In fact, that lipid solubility actually enhances penetration, and some studies have shown that it actually absorbs much more readily than pure vitamin C."

Dermatologist's Favorite Sephora Skincare & Haircare Products | Dr. Jenny Liu

"I have absolutely been loving and obsessed with this, it's from Peter Thomas Roth, their Potent-C Power Serum. This contains 20% THD of lipid-soluble vitamin C, which has become my favorite vitamin C recently this past year, especially to use in the winter time. I did a deep dive into why this is such a nice one for those with dry sensitive skin or to switch to during the winter or for anyone who has a hard time tolerating pure vitamin C."

Ultimate Sensitive skincare guide for winter from Dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu

"The Peter Thomas Roth 20% THD ascorbate is what I'm currently using. It's very creamy, almost like a light lotion, and I absolutely love it. THD ascorbate is better tolerated for sensitive skin and gives great brightening and antioxidant benefits."

Ozempic Face Is Real | Dermatologist Explains How to Prevent & Fix It

"Peter Thomas Roth has a really creamy vitamin C that I really love."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Nay

"I'm not repurchasing it at this point. [...] It has a hefty price tag and the brand's also not cruelty-free. This one's a tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate vitamin C serum, which is a derivative. It's got vitamin E, squalane, ferulic acid, and turmeric. [...] I've had this one for quite some time."

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Best Dupes & Alternatives to Their Most Popular Products

Best & Worst Vitamin C Serums of 2023

"Peter Thomas Roth, I haven't been enjoying this one. This one's a different type of vitamin C, it's not ascorbic acid, it's a derivative. So just keep in mind the derivatives, they've been studied a little bit, but more studied by the manufacturers of each derivative than actual peer-reviewed journal studies like SkinCeuticals did. Some of them might be great for one person and not work at all for the next. The derivatives, I'm not so sold that those are totally gonna do the trick."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

~Mixed

"I used the Peter Thomas Roth Potency serum, which is twenty percent THD ascorbate vitamin C. Even at the end of this trial I do like it, and I get the feeling it's stronger, but it's a lot more expensive and it also kind of smells funky."

All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole

K-Beauty vs High End Skincare: 6 Weeks Led to THIS?!?

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty: My Picks & Skips! (Fall 2024)

"The Peter Thomas Roth Potency Vitamin C Power Serum [...] isn't actually my personal favorite vitamin C, I still think something like Geek and Gorgeous is a very good option, but I get that some people might be looking for a vitamin C product in this sale, and this is a pretty good derivative vitamin C serum, it is THD ascorbate, which is very hard if not impossible to find in K-beauty. [...] This is still expensive, I think that's the price to pay for it, no reason to pay full price."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Yay

"So I would actually recommend this product. It does have a strong smell to it but the ingredients are effective, it's in the correct packaging, it's an air-safe product, not going to irritate the skin, it's anti-inflammatory. He's been quite interesting with his additional ingredients in the formula so he's come out of the box a little bit, so I like that. The only downside of this product is the price."

Tea with MD

115k subs

~Yay

"The Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum is 20% vitamin C in the form of THD ascorbate, 3% vitamin E, and 2% ferulic acid. I really like because it comes out like a hydrating serum. I can just use this in place of a moisturizer and it offers absolutely zero irritation. I love THD ascorbate as opposed to L-ascorbic acid because my sensitive skin just loves this stuff and I can use it every day and not have any issues."

All 4 takes from Tea with MD

Dermatologist Explains: Vitamin C 101 | Dr. Joyce Park

Ultimate Summer Skincare Transition Guide | Dr. Joyce Park

"The Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum is THD ascorbate based and also a serum, and it's so good. I love it."

Ultimate Black Friday Cyber Monday Skincare Sale Picks | Dr. Joyce Dermatologist

"As a serum it's almost like a lightweight cream. I really like this texture especially for fall and winter when my skin is dry, especially during pregnancy my skin is super dry, and it forms a hydrating base to the point where I don't usually need to use moisturizer afterwards. [...] I've been using this personally as my vitamin C during the winter because it's very hydrating and very moisturizing."

Part 2️⃣ of what this

"It also has 3% vitamin E antioxidant and 2% ferulic acid. I like it because it comes out as a serum as opposed to like a liquid or an oil which a lot of other vitamin C's come out as. [...] It's very hydrating, it's not irritating at all, and I've been really liking it as a base. [...] Vitamin C has a whole host of benefits, it helps to brighten, neutralize free radical damage from the sun. [...] This has been a really cool new product that I've been liking."

The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

~Yay

"From Peter Thomas Roth, which has a whole line of very splurgeworthy products, [...] this vitamin C serum was my product of the year from 2023, the product that I splurged on most and got the best feedback from my followers. It's [...] a little pricey but you can get it for 15% off with my code. It's better tolerated by a wider range of people and skin types than traditional L-ascorbic acid types of vitamin C serums."