Review (3/5): Formerly Incredible Moisturizer. Unfortunate New Formula; Poor Redesign of Packaging
I discovered Sanitas Topical C in 2004 in Berkeley, CA at a Pharmaca store. At that time, it came in a simple squeeze tube with twist off cap and a dark blue label, and had about 5 ingredients. It was an amazing and totally unique product that was gentle, fragrance free, and combined potent, healing lipid-soluble vitamin C with intense moisturizer. Several times when I bought it, there seemed to be batch issues or just flow issues - sometimes there were hardened lumps that were difficult to even rub into the skin. Since then, it's undergone two complete packaging redesigns, and with the last one, a total reformulation too: the first ingredient is now octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, and sunflower oil is now included in the ingredient list. I don't think this is an improvement. Probably the idea was greater stability, more consistent batches, or easier flow, but the quality of the product is definitely compromised and less pure and potent than it was. Also, as other reviewers point out, the new pump design is not an improvement at all and leaves a lot of product in the tube. Unfortunate changes to a face moisturizer that used to be unique and amazing.