How to use Vit C serum? And which?

[Pinko1]

Hi all,

Day to day home working means I'm rarely wearing makeup so I wanted to change my moisturiser to brighten myself a bit. Some of the threads here suggest a vit c serum? Do I mix in with a moisturiser? Can I use daily? Any recommendations for brands?

I would recommend using one underneath a moisturiser in the mornings. As it's an anti-oxidant, you want to put it un first so it absorbs into your skin, then you can put your moisturiser and SPF over it.
There are loads out there with a huge range of prices - I personally like the Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow one, as it's not expensive, but you can't get it in shops, you have to order it from their website.

Also, yes you should be able to use daily so long as your skin tolerates it. Some of the have quite a high percentage of L-Ascorbic Acid (the active ingredient), which can be a little irritating to sensitive skin. If your skin reacts you could try looking for a serum with a lower percentage (5-10%).

I put it on in the morning, before my moisturiser. I also like the vit C miscellar water.

The vast majority of vitamin c products are ineffective as vitamin c oxidises. Companies throw it in the bottle and on the label because its cheap and trendy, but it's not doing anything.

There are some products that address this issue. Both The Ordinary and The Inkey List have a product that contains no water - the ingredients are suspended in a sort of silicone base. This can feel a bit odd and not play well with other products (ie cause pilling.)

Another solution is to buy the vitamin c in pure powder form and make your own. It's a faff. It can be hard to get the powder to dissolve. But The Ordinary makes one that's very finely milled. It comes with a tiny scoop and I like to mix it in the palm of my hand with a few drops of rose water and a drop of glycerine. It makes a fabulous serum that's hydrating and rubs into the skin easily. You can add the powder to whatever product you like - I just think rosewater dissolves it fastest and then I add a bit of glycerine or light moisturiser to make it more slippery and nice.

AgingDisgracefullyHere I agree there is a problem with shelf life when it comes to L-Ascorbic Acid.

I buy the Vitamin C from Geek and Gorgeous, who make it in small batches so when you buy it it's usually about 2 weeks old. I've never had a bottle from them that's orangey or looks like it has oxidised.

I have the Inkey List vit C serum and it’s fine, soaks straight in, no pilling.

I’ve got a Garnier vitamin C one which I use in the mornings and had a Revolution one which I also used. Both much the same.

That’s a good solution re the powder and I’ll be getting that. I haven’t been that impressed with my vit. C serums so far.

I've used both the vitamin c concentrate Extreme one from nip and fab and the temple spa one and loved both. The basic vit c one from nip and fab is ok, but I think it's worth paying the extra for the extreme.

Also, apply in the morning to damp skin before moisturiser. Both of these have been fine under make up

I got the Medik8 C-Tetra one in my advent calendar. I love anything Medik8, so I’m quite hopeful.

https://m.clinique.co.uk/product/18919/43160/skin-care/fresh-pressed/clinique-fresh-pressedtm-daily-booster-with-pure-vitamin-c-10. I love this stuff but it’s expensive! It makes a huge difference to my skin.

I would recommend any of the following: Skinceuticals C E ferulic, Dennis Gross Vitamin C and Lactic Acid, Iluma Intense Brightening Serum and Amazon’s TruSkin Vit C serum. medik8 is best value for money.