Meet the Formulator Behind the FutureBright Vitamin C Serum

By Team ROSE MD

Meet the Formulator Behind the FutureBright Vitamin C Serum

By Team ROSE MD

When it comes to creating effective clinical skincare, we don’t just rely on the expertise of dermatologists. Cosmetic chemists are the magicians that whip up your favorite products out of raw materials and lab equipment. To formulate the FutureBright Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum, we knew exactly who we wanted to call: friend and cosmetic chemist AJ Addae. Here, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain of our product development process with a Q&A with AJ.

What was the goal with this formulation?

AJ: Dr. Rose Ingleton’s team came to us to transform an already well-loved product in their arsenal: their now-discontinued Complexion Brightening Booster. It had a loyal fan base but room for more impact. They wanted to increase the vitamin C concentration and also make the serum more effective for fading the look of dark spots. Developing a solidly stable product with vitamin C is tricky in general, but doing so with 10% vitamin C (like FutureBright has!) and tranexamic while maintaining a lightweight-yet-hydrating finish can be very difficult.

Why use THD ascorbate as the form of vitamin C?

AJ: Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate is oil-soluble which is great for formulation versatility. It’s also exceptionally bioavailable to the skin (and therefore multifunctional) which may be an explanation for why it tends to visibly outperform the sometimes lackluster performance we see from traditional L-ascorbic acid serums overtime.

When it comes to creating effective clinical skincare, we don’t just rely on the expertise of dermatologists. Cosmetic chemists are the magicians that whip up your favorite products out of raw materials and lab equipment. To formulate the FutureBright Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum, we knew exactly who we wanted to call: friend and cosmetic chemist AJ Addae. Here, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain of our product development process with a Q&A with AJ.

What was the goal with this formulation?

AJ: Dr. Rose Ingleton’s team came to us to transform an already well-loved product in their arsenal: their now-discontinued Complexion Brightening Booster. It had a loyal fan base but room for more impact. They wanted to increase the vitamin C concentration and also make the serum more effective for fading the look of dark spots. Developing a solidly stable product with vitamin C is tricky in general, but doing so with 10% vitamin C (like FutureBright has!) and tranexamic while maintaining a lightweight-yet-hydrating finish can be very difficult.

Why use THD ascorbate as the form of vitamin C?

AJ: Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate is oil-soluble which is great for formulation versatility. It’s also exceptionally bioavailable to the skin (and therefore multifunctional) which may be an explanation for why it tends to visibly outperform the sometimes lackluster performance we see from traditional L-ascorbic acid serums overtime.

What's unique about FutureBright from a formulation standpoint?

AJ: We built a cream-based yet lightweight formula instead of a more watery serum that you traditionally see with Vitamin C. This meant comparably better stability, better texture, and better feel. We also added more skin support through lesser-known (but slept-on) hydration superstar sugar-polymer biosaccharide gum-1, papaya extract, and soursop extract—hydration, antioxidant protection, and a nod to Dr. Ingleton’s Caribbean roots. The added skin support means no burning, no flaking. Just glow.

What's unique about FutureBright from a formulation standpoint?

AJ: We built a cream-based yet lightweight formula instead of a more watery serum that you traditionally see with Vitamin C. This meant comparably better stability, better texture, and better feel. We also added more skin support through lesser-known (but slept-on) hydration superstar sugar-polymer biosaccharide gum-1, papaya extract, and soursop extract—hydration, antioxidant protection, and a nod to Dr. Ingleton’s Caribbean roots. The added skin support means no burning, no flaking. Just glow.

What kind of testing was done to ensure efficacy?

AJ: Due to the high vitamin C content, it was necessary to put the product through rigorous testing. We put the product through more-than-necessary thermal and pressure stress, and we even assessed it through a consumer-in-use study to ensure that the product does not lose signs of efficacy over usage time.We also had the product tested on a 4-week clinical panel that showed that 100% of testers did not experience an adverse reaction (burning, itching, stinging), showing that the product can be considered sensitive-skin friendly.

What kind of testing was done to ensure efficacy?

AJ: Due to the high vitamin C content, it was necessary to put the product through rigorous testing. We put the product through more-than-necessary thermal and pressure stress, and we even assessed it through a consumer-in-use study to ensure that the product does not lose signs of efficacy over usage time.We also had the product tested on a 4-week clinical panel that showed that 100% of testers did not experience an adverse reaction (burning, itching, stinging), showing that the product can be considered sensitive-skin friendly.

What's your favorite thing about FutureBright?

AJ: The ROSE Ingleton MD team never fails to bring us a product brief that pushes the boundaries of chemistry and what's already out there—and yet, we always make it happen together! The product basically simplifies my skincare routine, and I love that I'm extra protected when I wear it with sunscreen. I'm a FutureBright superfan!

What's your favorite thing about FutureBright?

AJ: The ROSE Ingleton MD team never fails to bring us a product brief that pushes the boundaries of chemistry and what's already out there—and yet, we always make it happen together! The product basically simplifies my skincare routine, and I love that I'm extra protected when I wear it with sunscreen. I'm a FutureBright superfan!

FutureBright Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

$68

33 reviews

A milky, sensitive skin-friendly serum with 10% Vitamin C (THD Ascorbate) along with 2.5% Tranexamic Acid to actively brighten the look of dull, discolored skin while defending against future damage

FutureBright Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

$68

33 reviews

A milky, sensitive skin-friendly serum with 10% Vitamin C (THD Ascorbate) along with 2.5% Tranexamic Acid to actively brighten the look of dull, discolored skin while defending against future damage