You know the benefits of using a Vitamin C serum by now (well you should anyway, brush up if you don’t) and you might already be using one. Maybe it’s one that I’ve used in the past and did for years- C E Ferulic from Skinceuticals. While its buzz has tapered off a bit, its following is still loyal though all you have to do is look at its ingredients to see what you’re actually paying $165 for.
Its ingredients are listed as: aqua / water / eau, ethoxydiglycol, ascorbic acid (Vit C), glycerin, propylene glycol, laureth-23, phenoxyethanol, tocopherol (Vit E), triethanolamine, ferulic acid, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate. Wow. Precisely nothing about that list gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling about using it, amiright?
Ethoxydiglycol isn’t particularly menacing but it’s not beneficial either so to have water as the first ingredient (which does nothing), and this weird chemical second means that you’re paying for what exactly? (Don’t get me started on the other weird things in it that serve no real purpose in bettering the skin.) I want my money back!
Éminence has 2 hugely popular C serums that offer the same benefits, but are powered by plants, flowers, and food (even broccoli!) to deliver powerful vitamins that nourish the skin safely and effectively.
Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum
This serum reads like a damn recipe. It’s a in a base of Lotus Root Water (huge vitamin c content), Ascorbic Acid (2nd ingredient- a good sign), Avocado extract, Vitamin E, Broccoli, Kale, along with Lemon, Grapefruit, and Lemongrass oils, and vitamins. It zaps free radicals in the environment, brightens, tones, calms, and evens out skin tone. It’s gentle, so those who can’t typically tolerate l-ascorbic should be able to use it. It’s not hydrating though (good for oily skin) and it’s basically the consistency of water so it’s not about hydration, only benefits so you can sneak it into whatever your current routine is without really noticing added weight.
Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil
If your skin is looking sad and old (just me?) then this Rosehip, Jojoba, Pumpkin Seed, and Seabuckthorn serum is the one. It’s a light yet hydrating oil that leaves skin with that trademark glow that Rosehip yields. It also helps with environmental damage using C&E protection, but its focus is firming, collagen boosting, and keeping those fine lines from dry skin away.
I mix them together to get all of the benefits, because that’s how I roll, but you can check them out and see which might be better for you.