A while back, I stopped using vitamin C in my skincare routine. It wasn’t because I thought it was ineffective; quite the opposite. I was tired of throwing away my vitamin C before I finished it. Vitamin C, as we know, is famous for being unstable. Still, it has a lot of really great benefits: it helps brighten the skin, reduces the appearance of dark spots, and has antioxidant properties. I like to think of it as the chaotic good in any skincare routine.
Compared to other beauty editors and skincare devotees, my routine might be considered pretty simple. I rarely use acids, and retinol isn't a regular thing for me despite knowing my over-40 skin could benefit from both products. Truthfully, I tend to focus on hydration. However, I know being regular with something like vitamin C could help get rid of some of my concerns, like those damn dark spots! So, when I learned that the skincare brand Medik8 came out with its new Super C Ferulic Serum ($74), I couldn’t help but wonder (Carrie Bradshaw voice), was it time to go back?
What makes Super C Ferulic different is that instead of L-ascorbic acid, which is the purest and most unstable form of vitamin C, it uses ethylated ascorbic acid (30%, in fact). This makes the formula very stable due to the modification of the L-ascorbic acid molecule, so you don’t have to worry about it losing its effectiveness after being exposed to air, light, or heat. You get all the benefits of vitamin C: brightening, wrinkle reduction, and all that antioxidant goodness without having to worry about throwing it away too fast. Super C Ferulic has other beneficial ingredients, including more antioxidants like ferulic acid, vitamin E, and turmeric root. These contribute to fighting skin-aging signs and discoloration, as well as supporting healthy skin, overall.
I knew I couldn’t jump back into a rigorous vitamin C routine with my simple skincare lifestyle, so I started slow. I applied Super C in the mornings every other day, after washing my face and before using moisturizer and SPF. At first, I felt a little bit of spiciness (mild tingling), but after the second time, I didn’t notice it anymore. In a little over a week, I noticed that the bumps were gone. As far as my dark spots, I hadn’t noticed a difference, but I know that it can take much longer for those to lighten. A consumer study showed that it took four weeks for more benefits to kick in, like wrinkle reduction and an improvement in skin firmness. So, I have hope that using this for a few more weeks will bring even more great results.
Vitamin C, I thought we were over, but maybe our romance is rekindling! If you too are tired of (vitamin C) instability in your life, give this Super C Ferulic a go.
More Medik8 Products We Love
With my dry, perimenopausal skin and penchant for liquid eyeliner, cleansing oils have become my preferred type of face cleanser. With nourishing fatty acids and antioxidants like safflower oil, moringa extract, and vitamin E, this keeps my skin supple and healthy while melting away makeup.
This silky night cream is a must for anyone looking to improve their crow's-feet and 11s . A consumer study showed that lines and wrinkles looked smoother in just seven days, with 96% of participants saying their skin felt instantly softer.
Medik8 is famous for its Crystal Retinal line, which features five levels of retinaldehyde, a type of retinoid that is proven to work 11 times faster than regular retinol. If you have reactive, easily irritated skin, try Crystal Retinal 1, which is made for super-sensitive skin types.
Most people start with Strength 3 from Medik8's Crystal Retinal line, which has 0.03% retinol and is still considered beginner-level. The retinol smoothes brightens, and firms skin 11 times faster than typical retinol.
If dullness and volume loss are your concerns, try Hydr8 B5 Intense. It's clinically proven to firm and plump the skin while packing it with hydration.
Chances are you're dealing with some sort of unwanted pigmentation. Sunspots, perhaps? This peptide serum uses 1% oxyresveratrol to brighten dark spots and is effective on all skin tones.
Zombie-eye sufferers can find relief with this eye serum, which uses encapsulated retinyl retinoate to help eyes look brighter and more awake while improving puffiness and under-eye circles.
Use this dynamic moisturizer and glycolic acid duo to get your skin in tip-top shape. The AHA Surface Perfector gently exfoliates while the lightweight face moisturizer is great for oily or acne-prone skin.
Use this two-step mask a couple of times a week to deliver intense hydration, prevent transepidermal water loss, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and crepey skin.
