MY SENSITIVE SKIN LOVES THIS SERUM
This Vitamin C serum comes in a thick, milky gel formula that's odorless.  It glides over my skin effortlessly and absorbs instantly.  It's comprised of a premium formula that's so powerful, potent, clean and effective that you normally only find it in high-end spas.  This serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  The penetrating formula not only cleans and moisturizes your skin, it tightens ans smooths areas around your eyes, chin, neck and cheeks.  It works as a deep cleanser to clean out the oil, makeup and impurities from your pores so your skin reaches a healthier, more radiant look.  The hydrating formula allows your pores to 'breathe' by allowing refreshing oxygen to penetrate your skin.  It's a refreshing change from heavier creams and serums.<br /><br />If you read my reviews regularly, you know I've reviewed many serums, especially Vitamin C serums.  For this reason, I have chosen to use this review entry to share parts of an article that was published by My Awesome Beauty that's titled The Complete Guide to Vitamin C Serums.<br /><br />HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST VITAMIN C SERUM : 10 FACTORS<br /><br /> FACTOR 1 - VITAMIN C FORM<br /><br />There really isn’t a “best” form for Vitamin C because there hasn’t been that much research that shows which one is the most stable and still effective.<br /><br />When you are looking for Vitamin C, you should stick to the derivatives or actives that are tested and proven to work, like:<br /><br />ASCORBIC ACID<br /><br />Ascorbic acid has the most supporting research but it is also the most unstable and can be quite irritating at higher concentrations. However, if your skin can handle it, it is the go to active. Just make sure that the serum isn’t oxidized.<br /><br />Still, most companies prefer to use the derivatives because they definitely have longer shelf life, which is critical for a cosmetics company.<br /><br />MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE/SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE<br /><br />Magnesium ascorbyl and Sodium (pretty much the same) are water-soluble derivatives of Vitamin C that many believe to be the best form of Vitamin C for use in skin care products.<br /><br />They believe this because it is less irritating and is more stable than Vitamin C. Even better, sodium ascorbyl (or magnesium) phosphate has the same potential as Vitamin C in helping with collagen synthesis while keeping the concentrations lower.<br /><br />In the end, for those who have sensitive skin or don’t want redness, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is probably a better choice than ascorbic acid.<br /><br />Still, sodium ascorbyl phosphate can still degrade when it isn’t stored properly or exposed to light and air. Following the “use by” dates on the packaging is a must to ensure your get a product that still “works”.<br /><br />ASCORBYL PALMITATE<br /><br />This form is the most frequently used fat-soluble (soluble in oils) derivative of Vitamin C in skin products.<br /><br />It isn’t irritating to the skin and is far more stable than Vitamin C. Still, even if it has good antioxidant properties; it doesn’t boost collagen synthesis as much as other derivatives and Vitamin C does.<br /><br />So, if you are going to choose an oil-based product that contains Vitamin C, you want to make sure that it has ascorbyl palmitate.<br /><br />However, it won’t be nearly as effective as ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, or sodium ascorbyl phosphate.<br /><br />NEW DERIVATIVES<br /><br />These derivatives are to be avoided because there hasn’t been enough study into their benefits.<br /><br />You might also find other derivatives such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which belong to the new derivatives that are slowly hitting the market.<br /><br />If you remember what we said about derivatives, (check the paragraphs above), most vitamin C derivatives on the market, including ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, consist of the ascorbic acid fragment (ascorbyl) and a fragment of another acid (e.g. palmitate or phosphate).<br /><br />These new derivatives have multiple chemical fragments that are bound to a single ascorbic acid fragment that protect against the core Vitamin C.<br /><br />So, as you can guess, it is like having more bodyguards protecting the core vitamin C.<br /><br />They are said to be more stable compared to the other derivatives and Vitamin C itself. Some of these newer derivatives (particularly the tetrasubstituted lipophilic ascorbates) are also said to be more powerful in boosting collagen synthesis. However, you will need to put out a little more cash, which might not be worth it just yet as we still haven’t found enough evidence or studies backing up those new derivatives.<br /><br />TO SIMPLIFY IT, IF YOU HAVE:<br />Normal or Oily Skin: use L-ascorbic acid<br />Dry or Sensitive Skin: Use sodium or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate to help avoid irritation and redness.<br /><br />We will keep a close eye on the new derivatives and will update our article in 2016, so you can benefit from the most up to date information.<br /><br />NOTE: There are of course other derivatives such as a Ascorbyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside etc… but they really lack studies to warrant use so stay away from those forms for the time being.<br /><br />FACTOR 2 - WATER BASED SERUM OR OIL BASED SERUM<br /><br />If your read carefully our previous paragraph, you should be able to answer this question.<br /><br />As you obviously want the most potent vitamin C serum, you will choose the most effective vitamin C forms : the oil soluble vitamin C derivative is not as effective as the water soluble ones, so you should stick with a water based vitamin C serum.<br /><br />You can also notice that all our top 3 vitC serums are water based because they definitely gave us better results. That is also why most vitaminC serums in the market are water based.<br /><br />The other advantage?<br /><br />These serums are much lighter and will be much easier to add in your skincare routine.<br /><br />As a reminder, apply the serum right after washing your face so to let the serum sink in and give you optimum results.<br /><br />FACTOR 3 - PERCENTAGE OF VITAMIN C IN THE PRODUCT<br /><br />The percentage of vitamin C is a tricky factor for formulators (as was confirmed by our cosmetologist and formulator friend).<br /><br />You do need a high amount of Vitamin C to boost collagen production and help with hyperpigmentation but too much can actually cause irritation and redness – and you don’t want to make people have the catch-22 or being wrinkly or red.<br /><br />The goal is to find that just right spot – which can be harder than you think.<br /><br />The amount that you should look for depends on whether you have the Vitamin C form or the L-ascorbic acid or the derivatives:<br />Ascorbic Acid: Look for 5-15% in the product<br />Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate or Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Percentages between 1%-20% (remember that these derivatives are as effective in lower concentrations as ascorbic acid ).<br /><br />WORD TO THE WISE<br /><br />When you are using Vitamin C serums, and if your skin is pretty sensitive, you should consider starting at the lower end and work your way up to a higher concentration so that your skin isn’t put into shock. You could irritate your skin and make it red and inflamed. Your skin may dry out and peel, which is pretty much the opposite of what you want – dry skin can make you look wrinklier, as was the case for several of our readers and 2 of our testers with sensitive skins.<br /><br />Try to avoid pure Vitamin C form, like L-ascorbic acid, and work with a derivative around 1.5 or 3% for the first month. That was more than enough for their skin, which showed impressive results. Example here of vitamin c serum for sensitive skins.<br /><br />So the most important criteria is not the percentage but how much % of vitamin C your skin needs to get results and how much you skin can stand.<br /><br />This is a really personalized product and you need to find the right one for you – there is no “one size fits all” option.<br /><br />FACTOR 4 - PH LEVELS<br /><br />When trying to make a decision on what serum to buy, PH levels should be one of the most important things you consider. PH levels tell you how acidic the product is – the lower the pH, the more acidic the product is.<br /><br />Now, many people will believe that stronger concentrations of L-Ascorbic means that the product is superior to something with a lesser amount, but that isn’t necessarily the case. The serum should have a pH level of 3.5 max (preferably lower), or it won’t be able to penetrate the skin – which is why it needs to be acidic in order to be effective, but also why it can be an irritant for some people.<br /><br />Skinceuticals is the one that holds the patent for the lowest CE Ferulic serum available on the market, it has a pH between 2.5 and 3.0. Some of the more affordable brands aren’t that far above them though, with pH levels ranging from 3.0 to 3.5.<br /><br />They can’t make it the same because it will violate the patent – but it is still low enough to be effective.<br /><br />As for the derivatives, the pH problem doesn’t hurt as much because they can go for a more neutral pH.<br /><br />For example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate has an ideal pH around 5 or 6, which is the pH of our skin. This is why some serums that use Vitamin C derivatives will come with a sensitive skin label.<br />Serums that have ascorbic acid: ideal pH of around 2.0 to 3.0, which can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.<br />Serums that have sodium ascorbyl phosphate: ideal pH of around 5.0 to 7.0, which should not affect sensitive skin.<br /><br />Many brands have a problem with pH, it would seem in our testing. The products weren’t well formulated and the pH was not within the ideal range for the best penetration of ascorbic acid. That’s why some people find vitamin C serums ineffective; they probably came accross a bad formulated serum to start with. Obvioulsy, we did not keep those useless serums in our top 3.<br /><br />FACTOR 5 - BETTER INGREDIENTS FOR EFFECTIVE TEAM WORK<br /><br />Vitamin C by itself can help your skin, but there is a reason that many of the best products have more than one thing in it.<br /><br />You can’t use one thing and expect miracles, just like you can’t eat a diet of only kale and expect to be healthy…or happy.<br /><br />You need a little more help, which is why it is good to go for a product that has other benefits or beneficial ingredients.<br /><br />Look for products that offer tons of antioxidants, especially if you are trying to avoid aging.<br /><br />In some combinations, antioxidants can strengthen each other and go above and beyond what they can do alone.<br /><br />One of those additions could be hyaluronic acid, which helps to deliver moisture, which can reduce wrinkles.<br /><br />You could also look for aloe vera, green tea, rosehip, and/or ferulic acid.<br /><br />Having more won’t hurt your skin; at worst it just won’t help it, so look for a product that will be able to deliver on more than one front.<br /><br />Update: You can find serum with 20% of L-ascorbic acid,( the most irritant form) but the percentage of vitamin C is not the only criteria to check, I definitely prefer less vitamin C, like 15% of vitamin C if it means getting several other potent actives in the same serum that will boost the vitamin C action.<br /><br />Remember also as we mentionned it previously, the higher percentage of vitamin C ( L- ascorbic form), the more irritant it can be…. So I know we all want the most effective serum but if you burn your skin… it is not really what you want. So be moderate and build up from there.<br /><br />Keep in mind that usually,<br />The more vitamin C in the serum, the less other actives manufacturers will add. (to keep the production cost moderate)<br />The less vitamin C, the more other actives manufacturers will add. ( as they have more margin to add other pricey actives)<br /><br />Of course, the choice will depend on whether you use other serums or not in your skincare routine. If you only use one serum, it is usually a good move to use a serum with a blend of super actives (vitamin C, acid ferulic etc..). If you use other serums, you can pick the serum with 20% L-ascorbic acid as you will bring other actives in the battle against wrinkles with your other serums<br /><br />FACTOR 6 - SKIN TYPES<br /><br />Everyone has different skin types, from oily to natural to dry – and many of us have all three types at once.<br /><br />Some people will have better results with Vitamin C derivatives while others will prefer to use the L ascorbic form – it is really a testing game until you find the one that works best for you.<br /><br />If you have sensitive skin, a product with a high level of ascorbic acid might harm your skin and you should aim to work with a milder option.<br /><br />Some people will be able to use only a little at a time and work up to the stronger levels, while others will be able to use the stronger products from the start. If you are having problems, a useful tip would be to start by applying the product every other day and work up from there.<br /><br />Go by this rule of thumb when you are just starting out:<br />Normal or Oily Skin: use L-ascorbic acid<br />Dry or Sensitive Skin: Use sodium or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate to help avoid irritation and redness.<br /><br />FACTOR 7 - AVOID COLORED PRODUCTS<br /><br />When you search for products that have Vitamin C or any derivatives, try to find a product that is white or colourless.<br /><br />Any colouring in the product could hide the signs of oxidation that render the product less effective.<br /><br />You want to be able to see a yellowish or brownish tint.<br /><br />Of course, a lack of tint does not guarantee that your product is free from oxidation as the early oxidation stages are colorless….<br /><br />Some unethical manufacturers (they do exist..) will even add colour to their products so that you can’t spot the oxidation status – so they can even sell oxidised products without you knowing it. ( and they can hide the ugly truth )<br /><br />However, some only do this for marketing reasons – people equate orange or yellow with Vitamin C, so they tint it that so it looks better.<br /><br />Still, we recommend you avoiding vitamin C products that aren’t colorless or white.<br /><br />That way, you will be able to check the degradation status and as a result the effectiveness of your antiaging – product.<br /><br />FACTOR 8 - PACKAGING & STORAGE<br /><br />Products that contain Vitamin C and its derivatives have sensitivity to air and/or light that makes their quality degrade at a faster rate if they are stored incorrectly.<br /><br />Companies do their best in trying to create packaging that helps keep the products fresher for a longer time, they use opaque tubes, pumps, or air restrictive bottles.<br /><br />You will usually find amber dropper bottle or blue colored dropper bottle, which enables to protect the serum from light. (For your information, amber colored glass is said to protect a little more from light than blue colored glass, but the difference is not that important).<br /><br />What you must remember is to avoid transparent bottles (they cost way less for the manufacturer but it means for your Vit C serum a shorter shelf life….)<br /><br />Yet, to get the best results out of your product, make sure that you close them tightly to reduce the amount of air that can get in and place them away from light.<br /><br />Try to avoid exposing them to humidity – which means you shouldn’t store it in your bathroom. Many people like to store anti-aging products with Vitamin C in the refrigerator! If that doesn’t sound appealing, wrapping them in aluminium foil can help.<br /><br />Once again, make sure that you note the “use by” date on the packaging – they will be your best indicator of whether or not the product still has a change of being effective.<br /><br />FACTOR 9 - BRAND REPUTATION<br /><br />Yep, would you buy a product from an unethical brand that does not take customer service seriously?<br /><br />Would you even think of spending your money on a company that don’t respect you as a customer?<br /><br />You should also definitely check the brand reputation, check whether the brand is known for selling scams or fake serums.<br /><br />There are unfortunately thousands of crappy brands in the Internet selling you bottles of water with a simple gelling agent to make a serum that they would market as vit C serum.<br /><br />When customers start to complain, they simply take the money and shut down everything. Then, They can create another brand and rinse and repeat….<br /><br />I know it sucks but that is the bad aspect of Internet. As we told you, you will find thousands of vit C serums brands on amazon or other big e commerce websites, they all claim to be the best serum on earth<br /><br />We bought many serums to test, and were really shocked by some brands selling crap so the big lesson to remember is to be critical….<br /><br />Keep also in mind our reviews don’t necessarily mean, your will get the exact same results as our reviewers. We all have different skin. That’s why we usually like to give you the criteria and elements to know so you can better choose the most suited serum for your specific case.<br /><br />FACTOR 10 - PRICING<br /><br />Pricing of Vitamin C products can vary greatly.<br /><br />Some of the best products from Skinceuticals are a luxury item while other brands are far more affordable. Of course there are a ton of products that fall right in the middle.<br /><br />Skinceuticals products are great, but they might not be worth the money (30 ml bottles for $100-120) unless you have tons to spend and use $1 bills in the bathroom. You can definitely find cheaper serums that are as effective. )<br /><br />On the other side, you also have the serums that cost $5 and swear to be the end of all your skin problems. Those brands are created everyday, which proposes serums for $ 5 with 20% of vitamin C + 10% of hyaluronic acid, + many other actives that are pricey<br /><br />You look at the ingredients and see all of the buzzwords, so you think it has to be a miracle.<br /><br />Well, just like fake designer bags on Canal Street, these products tend to fall apart at the seams and not offer the results you’ve been dreaming of. Some of those products might claim that they are 20% Vitamin C, when you open them up and get a ton of water, you will realize pretty quickly that it isn’t.<br /><br />To sum it up, you can definitely find a good serum that will deliver somewhere in the $20-$70 range. Take advantage of sales and seasonal deals, as they pop up quite frequently.<br /><br />I chose to share the 10 Simple Criteria involved in how to choose the best Vitamin C serum because I found it to be very information.  I hop you can too.  I like this serum featured in this entry because it contains Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.  This is one reason why my extremely sensitive skin does not react to it.  It's also water soluble which makes it more effective and doesn't leave any nasty residue.  There are also other beneficial ingredients present such as Aloe Vera and green tea.  Really, I cannot say enough about this product.<br /><br />I'll sum it up by saying this...This serum is comparable to other better known brands as far as the ingredients and other factors.  Yet, it's available at an affordable price.  Why pay more for the same thing?  I also like the fact they back their product with a 100% money back guarantee.  If you're not satisfied within 30 days of purchase, return it for a no-questions asked, 100% refund.  That's a guarantee you can't really sneeze at.<br /><br />**I received this product at a reduced rate**
Rating: 5 stars