Vitamin C cream

[HellonHeels]

What does it actually do?

Not as much as a good Vitamin C serum will do, which is give you a really good glow. It's acid based so will resurface your skin, encourage a quicker turnover of cells

I've not yet found a cream that works as hard as a serum at getting the same effect, but if you're not after a big glow and not using a serum under it, then it will just act as a nice moisturiser.

Creams almost exclusively have less % active ingredient than serums.

@LadyOfTheCanyon that's very interesting!
Do you have any recommendations for a really good Vit C serum?
I used The Bodyshop one a few years ago but after it ran out I never replaced. Always looking for better recommendations though.

The No.7 one is pretty good, nice texture and absorbs well. It's 15% Vit C ( you really need more than 10% to see a difference)

The Revolution 20% one is also good but I'm not as keen on the texture, but often on buy one get one free/ half price, so it's a good budget choice that gets good results.

The Ordinary do an L Ascorbic powder which you can mix into a cream but it's gritty and unpleasant ( although cheap)

Top tier is Skinceuticals Vitamin C with Ferulic acid - it's very very good stuff. But it's about £125 a bottle

Garden of Wisdom does a Vit C with Ferulic serum for around the £10 mark and although I haven't tried it, it regularly gets good reviews from people who have used the Skinceuticals one.

Here's a good blurb on Vitamin C for skin
www.self.com/story/vitamin-c-for-skin-tips

I use the Geek and Gorgeous one it's really nice and not expensive.

It's 15% L-Ascorbic Acid (the best form of Vitamin C), Ferulic acid and Vitamin E, basically very similar to the Skinceuticals formula for about a tenth of the price.

Just be warned OP if you are going to use one, they tend to 'go off' after about 6 weeks, so need to be used fresh for best results. They basically oxidise in sunlight and oxygen, so it will go a dark brown colour and be less effective.

Wow thank you so much for sharing your expertise and recommendations. Off to do some reading now

Medik8 and Oskia do good ones too

Sali Hughes has one called Must-C which o have heard good things about . Think it’s at Superdrug.

I'm a recent convert to this range - the acid toner, Must-C and Gel Quench

Clean Sheet is OK. But I'm not in love

Thanks for sharing this, it is very useful.

Why do they sell 50ml creams if this is the case? I can't use that in 6 weeks.

Oh sorry, I was talking about the liquid serums that come in 30ml bottles. I mean, you can still use them after 6 - 8 weeks, but if they go a brown/ dark orange colour it means that it's less effective.

Many of the creams and other formulas that you can get in Boots etc. use Vitamin C derivatives because they are more stable and therefore have a longer shelf life.

They will still work fine, but L-Ascorbic Acid is the best form of Vitamin C as it has the most research behind it, and is the form of Vitamin C that your skin recognises and therefore goes to work straight away, whereas derivatives often have to go through a conversion in your skin before they get to work, which can make them less effective.

But unfortunately L-Ascorbic Acid is a bit of a diva, quite unstable and oxidises in sunlight and air, so has to be stored correctly and used within a few weeks.

Ah, right. Thanks. I would still have difficulty using a 30ml serum in 6 weeks. At the moment I have the oskia single serve serum pods. So luxurious. But I dont know if I can commit to them long term at the price. They have made such a difference to my skin though.

@Zeeza most Vitamin C serums will last for about 3 months in the fridge once opened. A pp recommended Geek & Gorgeous ((C Glow) and they actually sell an empty mini bottle. I leave my main bottle in the fridge and decant a weeks worth at a time. Last time I ordered 2 bottles and the unopened bottle was fine in the fridge for 6 months.

Top tip. Thank you.

I got the number 7 vitamin c moisturiser as part of a pack (so didn't buy intentionally). I then used it as a stop gap when my regular moisturiser ran out. I've never noticed so much difference from any one product ever.

I've got such a glow on my face.

Anyone tried it for aging hands? Can it improve age spots?