Today Mary Ann, Annie and I are joining six other bloggers to talk about self-care. For those of you new to this blog Welcome. I will preface this post by saying I am not an expert on anything. I scour the internet for information from people who know much more than I. Then I share what I have learned. I am 65, I have a lot of sun damage, acne scars and wrinkles so I am on a journey to take better care of my skin. If you saw a picture of me in direct sunlight without makeup you would “run for cover”. I have been searching for a good Vitamin C Serum because the one I previously used disappeared. I have not been using it and I can tell the difference. So let’s take a look at Self-Care after 50-How to Choose the Best Vitamin C Serum.
How to choose the Vitamin C Serum that is the best for your skin. If your skin is sensitive you would want to start or stick with a lower concentration of Ascorbic Acid as it can be irritating. You might find this article helpful.
The best Vitamin C Serum for your Skin
If you do your research vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals even out skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, acne scars, and general dullness. You can come up with just about any common complexion problem and there’s a good chance that vitamin C (and it’s skincare products ) is a recommended treatment. In neutralizing these free radicals, vitamin C may also help protect skin from precancerous changes caused by UV exposure. Because it’s highly acidic when used topically “the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin” With continued topical use, vitamin C can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place.
There are a few things you should know about any Vitamin C Serum before you buy. What are the ingredients?
The active vitamin c ingredients you need to look for are asorbic acid, or l asorbic acid.
It is the most abundant vitamin C in human skin and the most easily absorbed.
The PH needs to roughly be between 2.5 and 3.5 for stability.
You might want to read Dr Leslie Bauman’s Why Your Skin Ph Matters
Look for Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid
There is a great deal of evidence showing that combining vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid makes for a much more potent antioxidant with added benefits. Vitamin E itself acts as an antioxidant and also enhances the function of vitamin C. It also helps to maintain the skin barrier. Ferulic acid enhances both vitamin C and vitamin E.
Make Sure it Comes in a Dark Container and Keep it in a Cool Dark Place
Vitamin C actually breaks down when it’s exposed to light or air, so dark glass bottles help maintain its stability
Look for Airless Packaging
The serum will last longer if not exposed to air
I am not a youtube enthusiast. They take too much time to watch. You guys have introduced me to a few that I have forced myself to watch. One of the best for product recommendations is Angie from Hot and Flashy. I know the name but guess what her father is a chemist and he tests all of the products that she recommends. So if you are going to watch one video on Vitamin C serum. I would watch How to choose the right vitamin c serum
There are different theories and ideas out there about how and when to use a vitamin C serum. Some experts believe that vitamin C should be applied at night in order to help skin repair itself while other sleep-restorative functions are taking place. Some believe that it should be applied during the day in order to help fight off free-radical damage as it accumulates throughout the day. Apply after cleansing and before moisturizing. It isn’t important which time of day you apply it; what matters more is that you remember to use it (note to self).
- Here are some of the favorites with the proper concentrations that might work for you. Almost every expert agrees that the skin ceuticals vitamin c serum is a good one. It should be at $166 a pop. I am not one to just accept a product because it is expensive. Many of these have the same ingredients but are more reasonably priced.
The Timeless (highly recommended by Angie of Hot and Flashy) has a 20% concentration of Vitamin C. The Maelove has 15%. The Drunk Elephant also has 15 % and is entirely cruelty-free. The Obagi has 20% but is just as expensive as the SkinCeuticals. Paula’s Choice has 15% at $40.00. The Skinceuticals (considered the holy grail by many also only has 15%. All of the products are linked below the graphic.
The less expensive drugstore varieties might be a good place to start. Dr. Brenner’s is $32.00 and has 20%. The Inkey List has a little different preparation with a cream and the serum which might work better it also has a whopping 30% of vitamin c. The revitalift has only 10%, and the tru skin has 20% (not sure about the compounds in this one) but very reasonable at $19.99.
It’s best to start out with a low concentration and work your way up as your skin grows more accustomed to it. If your skin is sensitive you may need to stick with a lower concentration. Five percent serums are normally gentle enough for sensitive skin. You can go all the way up to 20 percent, which will work more quickly to brighten and improve skin pigmentation. You must apply vitamin C serums consistently over several months before you see results. it takes time for the skin cells to replenish. You might want to read the articles below before making your decision.
Allure Get Brighter Skin with Vitamin C
Vitamin C Serum Which One is for You
The Best Vitamin C Serums of All Time-Harpers Bazaar
Dr. Leslie Bauman why your Skin PH Matters
And finally, if you want an alternate opinion, you-tuber Dr. Dray (a board-certified dermatologist) does not believe there is enough science to merit its use. Of all the dermatologists that were quoted, she was the first non-believer. She also is very good about testing products
Why I Don’t Use a Vitamin C Serum-Dr. Dray
Thank you for reading Self-Care after 50-How to Choose the Best Vitamin C Serum.. If you have a Vitamin C Serum that you love please share. This post is a part of my self-care over 50 series that I will be continuing. You might also enjoy reading Self Care Over 50 or How to Keep Your Mind and Body Intact.
Now pop over and visit this great group of bloggers that Annie has assembled. You won’t be disappointed!
Hi Cindy,
I’m rather one for the simple things in life and coupled with being as tight as a jam-jar lid, positively baulk at spending proper $$ on potions. I do, however, subscribe to the Vitamin C serum principle but have only ever made my own. It only costs cents to make and I do a new batch every week owing to the basic chemical instability of Vit-C in water, and you can customise it to any concentration you like. I’m rather slapdash with my mixing but am sitting at around 12.5-15% these days and like the result but on reflection might sneak it up a bit and see what the effect is. It takes 5 minutes to make and if you want fancy other ingredients in serums, I recommend making your own C-serum and layering other actives as you go.
The “recipe” I use comes via the blog of a young Chemist, Michelle @ Lab Muffin:
https://labmuffin.com/easy-5-minute-diy-vitamin-c-serum-recipe/
I love that you did all the research and narrowed the field for us!! I have not looked into serums but I’ve been curious. I had no idea that Vitamin C is so important for us. I do have sensitive, dry skin so I’ll have a peek at these you’ve noted. I need to get on the ball- I just turned 60 a few weeks ago!
Jane x
Hi Jane
I would try one of the ones with a lower % of vitamin C. Check back and share which works for you!
Thank you for this post. I, too, follow Angie from Hot and Flashy! She is great and I appreciate the research she puts into the products she recommends. At the end of last summer I started using the Timeless Vitamin C serum (on my DIL and Angie’s recommendation) and I love it! Both my daughter and DIL have commented about how good my skin is looking. (I’m 69) I just recently introduced the CoQ10 serum also from Timeless and I love it, too. I do use Retin A in a very low percentage as well as a retinol by RoC per my dermatologist’s recommendation. I now have a morning and night skin care routine loosely based on Angie’s!
Hi Judith
I too use 5% Retin A, wish I had started years ago. I also use the ROC at night (super reasonable). Yikes I should probably look into th CoQ10 serum as well. Darn it is a lot of work getting old! I am with Karen I just hate to add another step!!
Thanks for the great info. I hadn’t considered Vitamin C serum before, and will give it a try. I just wanted to remind everyone that there a number of websites that list cruelty free cosmetic brands. Doing a little research to find a company that doesn’t do animal testing should always be one of the steps in choosing the right product for you.
Love your blog!
Yes I agree Suzy. Thank you for reminding us. I will make note of that in one of my upcoming posts.
A friend recommended The Ordinary product line, found at Ulta. There are a variety of serums and you can blend them together if you want. I have noticed a difference to my 65 year old skin, and am happy with results. Each serum is priced well, anywhere from $6-$9 each. I think its worth a try!
Cheryl that line was mentioned in several of the articles that I read. I think they have a longer shelf life because they are separate. Good to hear that you like them!
Cindy! Leave it to you to have such a well researched and informative post. I have not been using a serum, but actually have one that I haven’t even opened from Young Living. I just did not realize all of the benefits. I need to check and see exactly what I have now that you have informed us what to look for!
I love that photo of you and Summer! Can’t wait to see you next week in SF!
xo
Annie
Hi Annie
What got me going was the price tag of the skinceuticals. I really hate to pay a lot of money and feel like I am not getting much bang for the buck. I kind of get obsessed when I start researching something…bad habit…
Great to know, Cindy! I’ve been using vitamin c serum but didn’t realize there was such a variance. I need to start paying better attention for sure. Thank you for including me! You are beautiful!
Hi Rene
I didn’t either until I did a little sleuthing. So good to have you back again. Loved your post!
Cindy,
Thanks for this valuable information. I’ve added the ‘timeless’ product to my Amazon shopping list. The information made sense to me and I’d be willing to add it to the routine. I like to keep my regime pretty simple so I normally wouldn’t add another step, but I had read the C is important and your info convinced me to give it a try.
Karen
Amen to not adding any more steps! I am hoping to do less as well. The Vitamin C is an easy one. I wore so little makeup when I was younger. I only wish I could still do that darn it!!
I have used TruSkin , on amazon, for the last 2 years. I am 72 and do not have sensitive skin. I have always had oily skin with large pores. Since using the TruSkin, I have seen a marked improvement in the texture of my skin, and a fading of the brown age spots. I have a tendency to get skin tags on my eyelids and this serum keeps them at bay. One positive aside is that my eyelashes and eyebrows have grown! I also use Rose Water as well as last year bought a Clarisonic face brush to use when cleaning my face 3-4 times a month. That has also made a marked improvement in refining my large pores and exfoliating to keep away that dull ashy look aging skin seems to get. Hope this helps some of you
Hi Linda
I almost added tru skin to my list, but I couldn’t find % of Vitamin C. So glad to hear you like it. I have been going back and forth about buying the clarisonic. I think you have convinced me! Sounds like we have similar skin!
What product will you be trying, Cindy. Love your blog.
I am torn between the Timeless and the Dr. Brenners. I used a very inexpensive one before with the exact composition of the skincueticals. I am going to order the Dr. Brenners and if it works for me (I don’t have sensitive skin) I will stick with it. If not I will give the Timeless a try. Angie (Hot and Flashy) seems to like that packaging. Be sure and check her out if you haven’t already. She does a really good job.
Do you have any feedback on products from Canadian Company The Ordinary?
I am a > 60-year-old woman and often receive unsolicited compliments about my skin. Thus I am very happy with TIMELESS. It hits all the marks you mentioned. I also follow Angie, Hot and Flashy. She is very ’transparent’ and her approach does take a scientific inclination which I appreciate as a medical provider.
Thank you for your article, I enjoy your blog.
Thank you so much for weighing in. I am a big fan of Angie as well. I am torn between the Timeless and the Dr. Brenners. I always enjoy hearing what my readers are using.
I use a CREAM from KEIHL ?is that how you spell it?
I spent BIG BUCKS on a VIT. C SERUM and didnot like it!The one I started with STOPPED MAKING Theirs which I LOVED!I got through my facial gal years ago……….
Another trick I have learned as soon as you wake up clean face and put on serums or creams so it has time to absorb before you put the make up on!!!
I have noticed a BIG DIFFERENCE and I cannot tell you ENOUGH how much I LOVE the MOTHER NATURES MOUNTAIN products from Instagram!!!
HOME MADE and will NOT BREAK THE BANK!
THE EYE CREAM I am using all over my face!!!!!!!!!
XX
I should have prefaced that I still cannot use any sort of cream on my face or I will break out. I still get the occasional pimple. I know many our age have the opposite problem. I think when I am 90 I will still be getting the occasional pimple!
Great information here ! I too have sun damage (lifetime in Florida) and a tiny bit of rosacea. I’ve been using Vit C for some time now and it makes my skin much smoother and a bit clearer. Currently I like La Roche Posay. I can get it easily at a Target near me so it’s very convenient.
Hi Marianne
Thank you so much for sharing what works for you. It is so beneficial for all of us! I was in Florida last July (yikes it was hot) not for pleasure but family business!
Cindy! Okay, first of all I cannot believe you are 65!!!! You look amazing – age appropriate and beautiful. I’m 56 and started using a Ferulic Acid Skinceuticals serum years ago. I didn’t know this much about Vitamin C though and your post was so helpful! Thank you as always for including me!
Hi Sheri
Loved your post! You always do such a great job. Trust me you don’t want to see me in bright light. There is a reason I am always photographed in “the golden hour”. I have scars, discoloration, wrinkles you name it! I spent way too many years not caring for my skin!
Wow….what a helpful post, Cindy! I’ve seen you sans makeup and you GLOW. When Alie did my makeup over Thanksgiving, she first patted on my face and neck Summer Fridays serum (and later gave it to me for Christmas). I love it. But look forward to trying others on your list. Also, I have some Korean Vitamin C face masks that we can use when you visit!
Love all the thorough research.
Mary Ann
What exactly was that summer Friday’s product??
Hi Lori
I am sorry but I am not sure what you are speaking of? Was it from a previous post?
Sorry, yes from MaryAnn at “classic casual home”… I assumed my comment replied directly to hers. Amazon has several of these products, mostly masks from “Summer Friday’s”… just curious!
Thanks Lori for sharing!!
Glow?? Ha!! Maybe from too much makeup! I checked out that serum you are using. It doesn’t tell what % of vitamin C, but it has Vitamin E. Couldn’t tell if it had any ferulic acid? Sounds wonderful though!
GLOW!! hardly. Mary Ann did you see Lor’s question about the Summer Fridays? Maybe you could respond to her.