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Product photo: medicube.us (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 70 pads.
Deep Vita C Pad
Brightening toner pads soaked in a 50% sea buckthorn water essence with niacinamide, a gentle PHA and a small dose of a stable vitamin C.
Buyer verdictEasy, pleasant pads for dull skin and a quick morning glow. They're gentler than Medicube's Zero Pore Pads, but they're scented with essential oils, so sensitive skin should be careful. Seoul is well over a third cheaper than Amazon for the same 70 pads.
- Key ingredient
- Sea buckthorn water (50%), Niacinamide
- Texture
- Thick, embossed pads in a light orange-tinted essence
- Routine step
- toner · AM & PM
- Korean pack
- 70 pads
Overview
Key ingredients
- Sea buckthorn water (50%) The base; a vitamin-rich fruit water
- Niacinamide Evens tone; the main reason it's registered for brightening in Korea
- Gluconolactone (PHA) A very gentle exfoliating acid
- 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (0.1%) A stable vitamin C derivative, in a small amount
- Palmarosa and citronella oils Give the citrus-herbal scent
From the US, it's 37% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund. From the UK, it's 38% cheaper in Seoul.
What they are
Deep Vita C Pads are Medicube’s brightening toner pads: 70 thick, double-sided pads in a jar of orange-tinted essence. They’re meant as the first step after cleansing, a quick way to tone, lightly exfoliate and brighten in one swipe.
The Korean ingredient list starts with sea buckthorn water at 50%. Next come humectants and niacinamide, then gluconolactone, a gentle PHA. 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable vitamin C derivative, is listed at 1,000 ppm (0.1%). Further down are calming ingredients (allantoin, panthenol, licorice), hyaluronic acid, and small amounts of peptides, ergothioneine and ubiquinone (CoQ10). There are also two essential oils, palmarosa and citronella.
Korea registers the pads as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle care.
Who they suit (and who should skip them)
Good pick if
- Your skin looks dull and you want a fast morning glow
- You like toner pads for convenience, especially when travelling
- Your skin tolerates light exfoliation but not strong acids
Skip them if
- You react to essential oils or fragrance allergens
- You want a real vitamin C treatment; a vitamin C serum is stronger
- You already use a strong exfoliant and don’t need another step
What the ingredients do
Sea buckthorn is a fruit rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and its water makes a pleasant, hydrating base. Niacinamide is the most proven brightener here. It helps even out tone and calm redness over several weeks.
Gluconolactone is a PHA, a larger acid molecule that exfoliates more slowly and gently than glycolic acid. It’s a good fit for people who find AHAs stinging. The vitamin C derivative adds a little antioxidant and brightening support, but at 0.1% it’s a supporting ingredient, not the main act.
Palmarosa and citronella oils give the pads their scent. They also bring geraniol, citronellol and linalool, which are fragrance allergens for some people.
How to use them
Medicube’s directions are specific. After cleansing, wipe the embossed side over the face, following the direction of the skin and avoiding the eyes and mouth. Then flip the pad and wipe with the soft side to smooth things over. Pat in any essence left on the skin, then follow with serum and moisturiser.
Close the lid tightly so the pads don’t dry out. Use sunscreen in the morning, especially if you’re using them for marks.
How they compare
Medicube Zero Pore Pad is the stronger exfoliating pad, aimed at oily skin and pores. Torriden Balanceful Cica Toner Pad is the calmer option for sensitive skin. If brightening is your main goal, Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Serum gives a stronger vitamin C step.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes. Olive Young sells the same 70-pad jar as Amazon US and UK, and the Seoul sale price is often far below the regular ₩29,400. At that price, Seoul works out more than a third cheaper than Amazon in both countries.
One jar clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum on its own. The jar is bulky and full of liquid, so put it in your checked bag.
FAQ
Are these vitamin C pads strong?
No. The vitamin C derivative is listed at 1,000 ppm (0.1%), so it's a supporting ingredient. Niacinamide does more of the brightening work.
Do they contain fragrance?
There's no added 'fragrance' line, but palmarosa and citronella oils are listed, along with the fragrance allergens geraniol, citronellol and linalool.
Can I use them with retinol?
Usually, because the PHA is very gentle. If your skin is sensitive, use the pads in the morning and retinol at night.
How many pads come in a jar?
70. Olive Young also lists the essence by weight at 150g.
