You know the drill--you expect to spend anywhere from $98 to $150 per ounce of your favorite Vitamin C serum (note: you do NOT have to spend anywhere near that amount for excellent vitamin C serums!). When it works, it works and life is good. But sometimes you get home and when you open the bottle, you notice that the serum is a yellow or brownish color rather than the clear (or light opaque) color you're used to. What's going on? Is this the same serum you're used to buying?
Okay...what's going on is that the Vitamin C in your expensive serum has oxidized and that, my dears, also means that you absolutely should NOT use the product on your skin! A Vitamin C serum that has oxidized no longer contains active Vitamin C so not only will you not be getting the benefits of the serum, apparently oxidized Vitamin C can cause damage to the skin. So take that oxidized Vitamin C serum back to the store for a refund!!!
I've been on and off the Vitamin C serum bandwagon for awhile, from using raw Ascorbic Acid (L) crystals (that's a form of Vitamin C) to using products with MAP (that's a derivitive of Vitamin C that is absorbed into the skin and then converted to Ascorbic Acid (L) to making my own Vitamin C serum with AA (L). Recently, I purchased a vial of SkinActives pre-made Vitamin C serum and I'm absolutely loving it! Here's the deets on this product:
SA's premade Vitamin C serum is a mixture of Ascorbic Acid (L) at 15% concentration, Ferulic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid and a host of other good things. It costs $15.50 for one ounce, which is a huge bargain. The serum itself feels elegant, silky and absorbs directly into my skin. I find it to be non irritating and just lovely! Take a look at the ingredients list:
Water, Ascorbic Acid (L) (Vitamin C),Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin, Pomegranate Seed (Punica granatum) Oil, Tocotrienols, Vitamin E Oil (Alpha-D-Tocopherol), Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Beta Carotene, Xanthan Gum, Lemon (Citrus limon) Extract, Orange (Citrus sinensis) Extract, Citrus Essential Oils, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol,Sorbic Acid.
Now, take a look at the ingredients list of a popular Vitamin C/Ferulic Acid Serum (I'll call it Brand X) that retails for $153/ounce:
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Laureth 23, Alpha Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Both serums contain water, Ascorbic Acid (L), Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate in Brand X), thickeners and preservatives. Items in Brand X also include a solvent (ethoxydiglycol--probably used to dissolve the ascorbic acid (L) ), a humectant (the propylene glycol), an emulsifier (the laureth 23) which keeps the formula from separating. Panthenol (aka vitamin B5)is also present in a very small quantity and acts as a humectant. Brand X's formula is very simple and straight forward.
The Skin Actives serum also contains a number of beneficial ingredients including pomemgranate seed oil (anticancer properties), antioxidants (Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Beta Carotene) and a small amount of fragrance.
For $15.50 an ounce, my choice is Skin Actives Vitamin C Serum. They really knock it out of the ballpark with this serum. Check it out by clicking here. You won't be sorry!!!
Ages of Beauty rating: *****
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