Powdered L-ascorbic acid is much more stable than its liquid form, and less likely to degrade. While it certainly takes more than three days to reap the complexion-boosting benefits, my zits and acne scars along my jawline felt sufficiently soothed by the third application. All rights reserved. It's when it's a deep orange (almost red) that it should be avoided. I quickly ran into a problem. So, what's going on when a vitamin C serum makes your skin look darker? What's more, C-Firma also contains fruit enzymes like pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract to dissolve dead skin cells and minimize the appearance of pores. Okay SCA. Supporter of IEF (International Elephant Foundation). Vitamin C penetrates best at a low (acidic) pH, but this can also increase the risk of irritation to your skin. The Good: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum contains a highly effective concentration of 15% L-ascorbic acid, the form of vitamin C that has the most clinical research behind it, … I had just gotten home from a long (socially distanced) weekend away involving countless cocktails and minimal sleep when I used this serum again. And you can absolutely still use it when you're getting sun exposure. You don't have to give up vitamin C if you want to avoid staining your skin. As I explained in my self-tanner tutorial, erythrulose and dihydroxyacetone (DHA) darken the skin via the "Maillard reaction." I use True Botanicals, recommend it highly. Look for thicker oils that will stay on top of the skin surface instead of sinking in, such as: If you typically apply vitamin C in the morning, see if it helps to wear it at night instead. Contains 15 percent L-ascorbic acid—the most potent, proven form of vitamin C for antioxidant protection, brightening, fading of dark spots and boosting collagen production. Ahead, find my unfiltered three-day review of this hero product, including how it affected my sensitive skin, the results, and whether I think it’s worth the $80 price tag. After contact with light, heat and air, vitamin C eventually oxidizes and loses its potency. Should I open the serum or save it for the winter?— Patricia. Although it felt smooth and dry to the touch, it didn’t feel like I was completely bare-faced. My sensitive skin demands that I play it safe when it comes to new products, but the fan-favorite formula boasts glowing reviews and promises to treat the exact concerns at the top of my list: dark spots, dullness, and fine lines. What vitamin C does, as an antioxidant, is: According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, "sunscreens are only partially effective in blocking free radicals produced by UV exposure." Kelsey was MyDomaine's lifestyle news editor for over two years. All in all, C-Firma actually delivers on its promise of firmer, clearer skin, and in my experience, is less irritating than similar vitamin C serums on the market. Before you mix or layer these ingredients, read this. Adding a vitamin C serum into the mix may sound innocuous, but for me, it’s somewhat of a leap of faith. [Read more about how to layer acids and vitamin C]. What's more, C-Firma also contains fruit enzymes like pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract to dissolve dead skin cells and minimize the appearance of pores. Within the hour, my skin felt slightly firmer and had greater clarity, particularly across my forehead and cheeks. Size: 30 ml /1 fl oz ): If you want to use a serum with L-ascorbic acid—the most proven and potent form of vitamin C—you need to be aware that it is highly unstable. Edit2: Provide some photo samples to show that this brand's Vit C is normal at that color and get downvoted? Some examples include: It's important to use up your L-ascorbic acid serum as soon as you open it, within three months. This was a total win for me, considering strong products tend to irritate these sensitive areas and provoke even more breakouts. You just need to be careful about oxidation! You might want to test your mixture with pH strips, aiming for a pH between 3.0 and 3.5. I often avoid potent masks, serums, or acids altogether for fear of having even more acne scars to heal. Though I expected irritation, I threw caution to the wind and slathered two pumps of the amber-colored liquid across my skin. I use Tatcha’s Camilla cleansing oil, the deep cleanse, the rice enzyme powder, the violet The one vitamin you NEED in your skincare routine. A tan from erythrulose can last as long as a week! Pro-vitamin B5 attracts and holds hydration in the skin, improving barrier function. Best case, you won't any get results from applying a vitamin C serum that has oxidized in the bottle. Drunk Elephant formulates the C Firma with pumpkin ferment (to hide oxidization) which gives the serum a light yellow appearance to begin with, but yours is dark orange/brown..not even the … Both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids will accomplish this (although I prefer beta because they're strong but anti-inflammatory and non-photosensitizing). That's in addition to vitamin C's ability to brighten the skin, fade pigmentation, and (at least with L-ascorbic acid) promote collagen production! C-Firma™ has a reservoir effect, which means it will stay active on skin for up to 72 hours and cannot be washed or rubbed off. But vitamin C? (With L-ascorbic acid, this usually takes about three months after opening the bottle.). Suffice it to say, I haven’t been feeling particularly adventurous when it comes to skincare. Similar to caramelizing meat, this process generates free radicals and could accelerate sun damage and DNA damage—exactly what we're trying to avoid in the first place by using vitamin C! In this article, I'll explain: Vitamin C scavenges free radicals and helps protect your skin from sun damage. The reason it can stain your skin is because vitamin C degrades into erythrulose—the EXACT ingredient you'll find in many self-tanners! The serum is orange probably from the pumpkin extract. It's an ingredient you can safely use year-round! The most powerful product in your skincare routine. I want to go to the beach and have some sun, but I don't know if it is safe, even with sunscreen. A quick Google search for a solve for these conditions points to one product in particular: vitamin C serum. The formula is not bad but I have a big reserve about it. My typical routine consists of a gentle cleanser, a daily SPF moisturizer, and the occasional anti-aging serum or hydrating mask when I’m feeling particularly lackluster. [Read more about how self-tanners can age your skin]. For Drunk Elephant, this is perfectly normal. There are two scenarios for why you might see a colour change, and both have to do with oxidation: An oxidized bottle of vitamin C (not only has the serum turned dark brown, but the rubber dropper has also started to dissolve). Drunk Elephant’s is formulated with a potent 15% L-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid, plus 1 percent vitamin E—roughly the same effective formulation that put SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic on the map. (Shocking, right?!) While $80 may seem steep for a single product, you’re actually getting more skin-soothing ingredients than the standard vitamin C serum. Like, there is literally no way it's not 100% oxidized. Now, if you’re familiar with Vitamin C, especially Vitamin C in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid, you’d understand my consternation. Ideally, look for L-ascorbic acid serums that also include ferulic acid and vitamin E, which will help stabilize the formula (not to mention double its photoprotection!). An oxidized vitamin C serum (left) vs. a fresh vitamin C serum (right). As with any Vitamin C serum, you should not use C-Firma with retinoids, copper peptides, and alpha-hydroxy acids, as these ingredients can destabilize the formula and render it ineffective. (For best results, each application should be mixed fresh.). And is there a way to stop it from happening in the first place? You're not alone—this is a known side effect of the popular brightening and anti-aging ingredient! To my surprise, it didn’t irritate the healing zits on my jaw or the small eczema spots around my eyes—it felt slightly tingly for a moment, but quickly subsided. By midday, I could still feel a slight film on my skin, plus a subtle tightening sensation across my forehead and cheeks.