Anyone else find that Vit C products cause cystic spots?!

[ShadesOfPemberley]

Im only just twigging that there might be a connection!

Tried a sample of a Drunk Elephant Vit C serum and less than 24h later (out of absolutely nowhere) I have a planet-sized cystic spot erupting on my chin.

Realised (which obviously I should have done BEFORE trying the product) that I have had this happen before with Vit C products, once fairly recently with an Ole Hendrickson cream, once ages ago with (I think) a Paula’s choice one and once way back in thf dawn of time with Sunday Riley CEO.

I mean you’d think I’d have thought twice before trying the Drunk Elephant… 🫣

Anyway it occurred to me that I never actually buy any of these products after trying them (all the above were freebies or sample size) so I obviously have vaguely thought before that I don’t like them.

Is it A Thing that Vit C can cause horrendous deep under-the-surface pimples?!

Sitting here with my teen DD’s Starface pimple patches on and hoping the Saturn-sized lump on my chin diminishes before family event tomorrow!!

I deal with cystic acne, I'll have to keep an eye out, but am watching with interest.

I am experiencing this after trying to use up a vitamin c serum! I've been using it daily and my chin is becoming infested! This is what I get for being consistent. I knew it was bollocks.

I can't use vit c i have tried several face washes and serums it really breaks me out especially round my nose,

I’ve been prone to acne, including cystic acne, for decades.

yes, I personally find that vit c products upset my skin so I always avoid them

Thanks everyone. Finally I have ACTUALLY GRASPED this so will avoid in future!

CurlsLDN i have had cystic acne in the past too (though have been largely free of it for years now) and if I do get a cystic spot it is always in the chin area and always lasts for blooming ages. So I think Vit C just triggers that tendency for some reason.

It may well be the preservatives causing the problem, as opposed to the vitamin C itself.
Vit C is an absolute nightmare to stabilise in skincare products. It degrades very quickly with air and light.

I use Vitamin C powder, and dissolve in water to make a basic serum. Makes my skin feel great.
I’ve had cystic acne before, but never from vitamin C by itself.

I suffer from cystic acne. I can use Zelens vitamin c and dermalogica with no spots

Now that I think about it, I had a Neal's Yard vitamin c serum and it didn't cause any issues.
I wonder if the one I'm using has just expired.

Interesting. I’ve always found vitamin C products make me really itchy so tend to avoid them. I got a serum in my advent calendar so have been using that for a few days and no itchiness but have indeed got a couple of big cystic spots come up on my jaw. I thought it was over indulgence but wonder if it is the serum. Will report back.

The first time I used a Vit C serum was the last because of this. I thought it was just me, everyone raves so much about it.

Glad I found this thread! I bought some expensive Vit C serums because they were recommended for age spots - and I have to say it did get rid of one of my many and faded a couple of others.
I was also getting spotty around the chin and temples and assumed it was moisturiser. Big deep spots that didn't come to much of a head.

I read this thread and stopped using the serums. I've not had any spots since!

The age spots are on my upper lip and cheeks so might reintroduce the serum but confine to these areas.

I had a similar reaction to many vitamin C serums (Sunday Riley, Skin 111, others I had in advent calendars and had to throw away after one use). The ones that work for me are Skinceuticals C E Ferulic - and I adore it, if only it was not so expensive - and Medik8 vit C products, including C tetra and the recently launched vit C with Ferulic. On my second bottle now.