Beautycounter Brightening Vitamin C Facial Oil
I'm probably one of the few women who hasn't consistently used a Vitamin C serum, but I recently added one to my routine and it's been a game changer. I shared which one, why I love it and some before and after photos. I also shared information to help you better evaluate and compare all the different types of Vitamin C out there!
While I have a solid skincare routine, I've never really thought about a vitamin C serum, other than trying random samples I got years ago when I still used BirchBox. But, when Beautycounter launched a vitamin C serum, I quickly tried it since I love all their skincare. I've been using the serum for a little over a year now and I've been SO happy with the results. I thought my skin was bright – I mean, honestly it was. But now I feel like it glows so easily, with or without makeup. And it helped keep my melasma at bay while pregnant. I've even been wearing less makeup as a result. I'm typically a Skin Twin girl since I like more coverage, but with warmer weather, I opt for the Dew Skin tinted moisturizer with a little concealer.
Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum Review
After Vitamin C Serum
Here is a photo of me after using the serum for a few weeks.
Before Vitamin C Serum
This is about two months before the serum. My skin looked great, but I immediately notice that my age spots on my cheeks and nose are a LOT lighter now. And my skin just looks more glowy and almost bright from within in the above photo.
What does the Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum do?
Brightens and evens skin tone.
Defends against environmental stressors and free radicals that negatively impact skin's appearance.
Helps prevent and reduce dark spots and discoloration (e.g. age spots, melasma, acne scars) to brighten skin.
Supports skin's natural collagen production to make skin look more youthful.
You can see the product page here, along with results from a clinical study. (Spoiler alert: the results were awesome.)
What is the best Vitamin C serum?
When people ask about the "percent" of vitamin C, they often think higher is better, but that can cause irritation. And, while most brands on the market use 15%, you also have to look at the stability of those products and the type of vitamin C used in them. Many brands that claim 15% actually don't live up to the percentage claim when they are tested. When tested off the shelf, the Vitamin C in them aged and degraded, even before they sat in a bathroom at home.
Most popular, high-end vitamin C brands use a less stable form of Vitamin C, 15% L-Ascorbic Acid. Alternatively, the Beautycounter All Bright Serum uses a total of 10% of ultra-stable Vitamin C from Japan. The two types are 5% bis-glyceryl ascorbate and 5% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. These were specifically selected for their stability and efficacy over time.
Additionally, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is effective at lower concentrations, which means less potential for irritation. This formulation is also lipid-soluble, so its effects are deeper and longer-lasting in the skin. It actually penetrates the skin, which is a much better delivery system. L-Ascorbic Acid, on the other hand, is tricky to formulate with. It loses efficacy when it comes into contact with water. That's why you are seeing high-end brands sell DIY products that mix the Vitamin C with the serum at point of use to help avoid that.
So, all that to say, when you look buying a vitamin C serum, make sure you look at the type of vitamin C used, not just the percentage.
Now, let's look at costs:
One of the leading Vitamin C serums on the market (what are considered the gold standard in Vitamin C serums) sells for for $166 for 30 ml, while the Beautycounter Vitamin C serum is $79 for 30 ml.
Bottom line: I think Beautycounter's All Bright Serum is your best bet in terms of efficacy, cost, and lower risk for irritation.
Beautycounter's Vitamin C Serum
Packed with antioxidants
The all Bright Serum uses Turmeric Root Extract to give the serum its bright yellow hue. They never use dyes.
Turmeric (curcuma longa) is an antioxidant superstar that helps even skin tone and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains Camu Camu Fruit Extract to help reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening to visually improve signs of skin fatigue.
Stable and won't oxidize
Like mentioned above, Vitamin C products can be very unstable and lose their effectiveness quickly. Beautycounter's vitamin C serum is a blend of two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C. If you're currently using a Vitamin C product, check to see what form of Vitamin C it contains. Most on the market contain the L-ascorbic form, which turns brown. The Beautycounter All Bright C Serum won't oxidize and lose its potency.
10% Potency for results without irritation
When a serum's concentration of vitamin C is too high, there's a chance of skin irritation—but when it's too low, it doesn't deliver as many benefits. Beautycounter's vitamin C is the best of both world's: effective without irritation. It uses:
- 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: This antioxidant helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin.
- 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate: A second form of vitamin C, this ingredient moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Safer
The All Bright C Serum is formulated without ethoxylated ingredients (including PEGs) due to reproductive and developmental concerns (as well as toxicity to the aquatic environment). It's also formulated without dyes. As always, every ingredient used by Beautycounter has gone through rigorous raw materials screening and testing to ensure it's safe.
All Bright C Serum FAQs
How do I use it?
Use the All Bright C Serum as a "treat" step with any regimen. After cleansing and toning in the morning, use your regimen's regular serum, wait about 30 seconds, then layer All Bright C Serum on top. Apply to face, neck, and décolletage. Follow with your moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen. If you're looking for a more in-depth how-to for a skincare regimen, you can join my skincare course (for free!) here.
Should I use it at night?
Nope! This is designed to be used during the day. For a product that works while you sleep, use the overnight resurfacing peel! The combo of the two is amazing!!! While the peel works overnight, the Vitamin C serum is designed for day use. It won't hurt to use it at night, but it includes ingredients to help protect against environmental stressors and potential sun damage you're exposed to during the day. So, that's when you'll get the most out of it!
How is it different from the Beautycounter Brightening Oil?
The new serum has a much higher dose of Vitamin C compared to the Beautycounter Brightening Oil. That means the vitamin C serum will be much more effective at brightening. Think of it this way: the primary job of face oils is to improve hydration and the other benefits you'll get are secondary, e.g. brightening, plumping, balancing (depending on which one you get). If brightening, reducing dark spots, and/or improving dullness are your main goals, you'll want the new Vitamin C serum rather than the Beautycounter Brightening Oil. Snag the All Bright Serum here!
The Bottom line
So, in conclusion, I LOVE the All Bright C Serum.It pairs beautifully with the Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer for a light, glowy look during the day that's perfect for these days where we're all staying at home! (Note: I'm wearing just Dew Skin with very light coverage in the top photo in this post! Not Skin Twin.)
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Beautycounter Brightening Vitamin C Facial Oil
Source: https://www.afoodiestaysfit.com/beautycounter-vitamin-c/
