best vitamin c serum you can recommend?

[mmmgoats]

tempted by Keihls 12.5% line reducing serum but it’s pricey - wondered if anyone had used it or could sing the praises of one they have used?

I was also going to recommend the Melano CC and GoW ones! I haven't used them (stupidly reactive skin) but hear lots of good things about these two, not least the low price.

I use Peter Thomas Roth Potent -C Power Serum. It cost 75.00/ 58.92 GBP. I buy it at Sephora, however, I don't think there's a Sephora where you live? If not, you could perhaps go to the PTR website and order it there.

If you are trying to get rid of hyper pigmentation/melasma then it should take about 6 weeks. If you are wanting to use it to increase the efficacy of your SPF, then it is immediate.

I worked in cosmetics/skincare/fragrance and as a MUA for Estee Lauder and Lancome for 17 years. I also freelanced weddings.

Good luck!

correction $95.00/ 74.63 GBP

Also, vitamin C is extremely unstable on it's own, so it is imperative that you purchase either a serum or a moisturizer that contains it.

The Peter Thomas Roth one is stupidly expensive for something that is mainly water. It also contains some questionable ingredients such as Mica.

mmm, it’s... hard to describe. Almost milk like but thicker when you pump it out, put it on your skin and you look shiny for a minute or two and then when it dries you can feel it on the surface of you skin. Gosh, I make it sound awful! It’s fine. I’m really happy with it and as a pp says, Vit C is very unstable and, having read up, the airtight, pump bottle it comes in helps maintain it’s stability. Mine is open since mid October and the liquid hasn’t changed colour which is, I believe, a good thing!

Thank you @golden0ldie that’s really helpful and sounds similar to the kiehls one I’ve been trying with the sample sachets - I like that kind of formula so I’m definitely considering GOW

TheOrdinary is amazing.

I’ve heard mixed reviews @wendycope have you seen a change in your skin?
I’m a little bit wary as I haven’t got on well with quite a few products from that range but I could have been using the wrong ones of course.
am perusing the many skincare threads on here to try and educate myself a bit!

I really like the GOW formula. Other Vit C serums I've tried have been very oily (the Ordinary, Medic8) or very silicone heavy (Inky list). GOW just feels like a normal water based serum.

have you seen a difference in your skin @rcohle since using it?

mmmgoats It is amazing, skin looks great after I'd say, two days. It does sting though. People have commented on my 'glow' and bought it too, (48 and drink like a fish!) It REALLY works.

Used to pay SO much for estee lauder night repair etc, this knocks it dead. It's fantastic. People just don't want the grittiness or stinging. But it bloody works, that's what I want!

I also like The Ordinary vitamin C. Loads of people seem to hate it, yes it's gritty, but I don't really care about that if it works.

To be honest I haven't noticed much difference from any of the (many!) Vit C products I've tried.

I'm still relatively young so my anti-ageing routine is aimed more at prevention than instant results. That's partly why the pleasantness of the formula matters to me - I'm just not going to use a really gritty, stingy formula like the Ordinary without instant benefits.

You'll get instant benefit!

Wendy so you use that in the morning?
I use lots of the Ordinary- it’s great. What is the exact VitC you use please?

23 percent something, from last year. Not the new one in silicone. I only use it at night, before bed, as your face will sting a bit and go red and I like nothing on my face all night. In the morning, as a very well known poster said to me 'you look like you ate at least 5 a day the day before' It's totally true!

Give it a go, it's only 5 quid! Honestly, it's fab! No fancy packaging or fragrance, just the active ingredients!

.. And I have tried the lot!

WendyCope, do you use any other products under or on top of the Ordinary Vit C? I usually use hyaluronic acid and a couple of other serums at night, just wondering about the order

I use the Kiehls vitamin C serum and I love it. I’ve used it for nearly 2 years together with the Kiehls Iris Activating tonic and my skin looks clear and polished. I can’t vouch for the skin wrinkles but I don’t think I have too many more.

I wouldn’t mind finding a cheaper alternative. The Kielhs serum also contains hyalauronic acid as well so that’s two great things together.

I might try the Garden of Wisdom one too.

The only thing I’d say is do NOT microneedle as I almost trashed my face with that (thanks, Trinny ).

Wendy thanks that’s very encouraging! I will give it a go!

I had the kiehls line reducer cream along with the under eye one. Skin felt nicer - but done very little for my lines. (I have since got Botox - which works, my line are practically gone)

I should add - if you are looking for a cream . I found Murad products better than Kiehls

All very interesting thank you!
I have more to mull over now then I thought.

@loliver123 I suspect I will end up getting Botox but I’m a bit of a wimp about it at the moment, people keep telling me horror stories about droopy eyes and the like as a result.

@mmmgoats - I was the same , my biggest fear was my eye drooping etc. But that is all to do with the skill of the practitioner. If you go to a well qualified registered doctor or nurse - who do this day in day out you will be fine. I went for the first time late last year - and was so happy with the results. No cream (and I have tried a lot) can match. Don’t let horror stories put you of.