Vitamin c serum

[Asterope]

Could somebody recommend me a good one? I don't want to spend £££ - was thinking range of £10-20. I used to use Balance Me but just can't justify the price anymore! Thank you for any recommendations

I use the Superdrug one, I think it's around £10.
It's lovely, my skin is looking good at the moment and it's a decent size too.
I'm very strict about only buying cruelty free, so often have limited choice but this one was a good discovery!

Is that this one @Littlefluffyclouds13 www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Face-Serums/Superdrug-Vitamin-C-10%25-Facial-Booster-30ml/p/782581

I don't know. But one word of advice - look for a white cream. Avoid if orange.

It's in an orange bottle, not sure that's the one but maybe it's new packaging?
I'll have a look at some point and get back to you!

Thank you, that'd be great!

Do you use Vitamin C serum just in the daytime? Under moisturiser?

Garden of Wisdom is a good one, it has 23% L Ascorbic Acid, which is supposed to be the best form of Vitamin C. I think it's about £10 or so.

I used to use Timeless, which was brilliant, but sadly they don't sell in the UK or EU anymore

bend I use it in the morning before moisturiser and SPF.

The reason to avoid orange vitamin c formulations is that when it is oxidised (ie done its job and gone off) it turns orange. It should be white. Unfortunately it is a marketing trick some companies use because it's associated with the fruit. Also they can hide old stock with orange colouring (but that may be me being cynical).

I heard that it should be applied at night because it increases sun sensitivity, which may oppose the point of using it.

Good point about the oxidisation Yoga, Vitamin C is notoriously unstable and will only last for a few weeks once you open it.

I have read several times about the combination of Vitamin C + SPF:

www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/vitamin-c-sunscreen

shopfaceyogamethod.com/blogs/skin-care-tips/best-vitamin-c-serum-and-sunscreen

amblerpurespa.com/2017/06/vitamin-c-serums-and-sunscreen/

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8869680/

Apparently its even better when you combine it with Vitamin E. However I agree you do need to follow it with a broad spectrum high strength sunscreen.

Samantha Sona Kakadu Plum & Quandong Day Serum is a good one. It’s all natural but contains a surprising amount of vitamin C (50 x more than an Orange).

I buy it from Australia but it’s cheap so I don’t mind paying postage.

I use this one, I think I first heard about it here on Mumsnet (years ago):

www.sr-skincare.uk/product/vitamin-c-serum-with-ferulic-acid-and-vitamin-e/

It’s a light emulsion, white (I can easily see when it’s oxidising) and it has ascorbid acid, vit E and ferulic acid, similar to the CE Ferulic from Skinceuticals which is supposed to be the holy grail of vit C (the texture is completely different so it’s not an exact “dupe”). It does smell a bit metallic, which is due to the ferulic acid, but the smell doesn’t linger. It’s hydrating (it contains hyaluronic acid) and I find that it makes my skin brighter.
It’s best to keep it in the fridge if you can, to prevent oxidising.

I’ve got the inky list one,£7.99 from boots.

Sorry, meant to add a link:

samanthasona.com/ols/products/kakadu-plum-quandong-day-serum

Boots have a cheap range £5 suitable for vegans,also Hyaluronic acid,a full range of these kind of serums

I liked the one by Boots Ingredients. It has a different form of vic C (ethylated, I think) which is stable but I am not sure the efficacy has been proven to be quite the same as that of ascorbic acid. It’s quite light and moisturising though.

@Mulletsaremisunderstood

Garden of Wisdom is a good one, it has 23% L Ascorbic Acid, which is supposed to be the best form of Vitamin C. I think it's about £10 or so.

I used to use Timeless, which was brilliant, but sadly they don't sell in the UK or EU anymore

bend I use it in the morning before moisturiser and SPF.

I've moved onto GOW as I couldn't get hold of Timeless any more, and I'm pleased with it so far.

I do like the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic one, but to be honest, I really can't see well over £100 of difference.