I've always been curious about Vitamin C products. What I know is that it is very, very unstable. This opaque bottle is ok but daily exposure to light inactivates it. I received this email as well and hesitate only because it is so newVit C has been shown to even out skin tone, but from what I read (and I had a good article not too long ago) it is very difficult to get an effective Vit C treatment in a bottle. I actually use this: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp90266_333181_sespider/dr__varons/vitamin_c_c...
Dr. Varon's concentrated serum- mix 10 drops with my normal skin serum (this changes). I like how it feels and have noticed an even tone, but it could be attributed to other products
I have to find what I just read about this. Seems like a great vitamin to even out splotchiness and discoloration in theory, but it is so difficult to keep stable. If you buy this, I would think about wrapping the bottle with aluminum foil (don't laugh) to protect it from light exposure I'll try and find that research.

take a look at this research (warning- this may put some people to sleep):
http://www.smartskincare.com/treatments/topical/vitamin-c-vitamin-e-feru...

interesting stuff. SkinCeuticals really makes some good products as well, but stability has been criticized by some. I want to look into the DIY info

Skincare nerdgirl signing off.....

Sofi, thanks for the great info - I am off to read the article you link to!

can't help you here hon, sorry good luck though.

From my knowledge, vit C is very good for the skin, helps you to stay younger longer, protects your skin again the -ve side of sun rays and as for Mario Badescu's products, they are very good products and specialists in skin products so, you don't have to worry about his products. (but it also depends if his products goes with your skin type)

Tini, I think it would be great. Hyaluronic Acid is a great way to retain the moisture within your skin. I know Philosophy (there's a plug!) has capsules now with just pure Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid – Skin care products containing this substance are often used in conjunction with vitamin C products to assist in effective penetration. Hyaluronic acid (also known as a glycosaminoglycan) is often touted for its ability to "reverse" or stop aging. In news reports, you might have heard of hyaluronic acid as the "key to the fountain of youth." This is because the substance occurs naturally (and quite abundantly) in humans and animals, and is found in young skin, other tissues, and joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid is a component of the body’s connective tissues, and is known to cushion and lubricate. As you age, however, the forces of nature destroy hyaluronic acid. Diet and smoking can also affect your body’s level of hyaluronic acid over time. Skin care products with hyaluronic acid are most frequently used to treat wrinkled skin.

Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronan occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with hereditary connective tissue disorders have problems such as joints, heart valves and eyes. Hyaluronic acid abnormalities are a common thread in connective tissue disorders. Interestingly, they are also common biochemical anomalies in most of the individual features of connective tissue disorders such as mitral valve prolapse, TMJ, osteoarthritis, and keratoconus.

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages.

Can any policy,however high minded, be moral if it leads to widespread corruption,imprisons so many,has so racist an effect,destroys our inner cities,wreaks havoc on misguided & vulnerable individuals and brings death and destruction to foreign countries?

I must also say that I was getting this pimple on my chin for about four months - it would go away and reappear. It would only be there for two days and then leave. Nothing was working but since Tini likes to rave about Mario Badescu - I found the Drying Lotion - that sucker was gone and has not returned in a month. That stuff is a miracle worker.

Can any policy,however high minded, be moral if it leads to widespread corruption,imprisons so many,has so racist an effect,destroys our inner cities,wreaks havoc on misguided & vulnerable individuals and brings death and destruction to foreign countries?

*listening to all of this* I've always been curious about Vit. C

Oh the new Allure out this month has a big skin care section with all of these different treatments (I remember reading about hyaluronic acid)

I have been using the one by The Body Shop. I haven't noticed anything exciting with my skin.

yes, Bella his drying lotion is a miracle worker, isn't it???

I am really leaning towards getting this and trying it out after reading all of these great comments (and the link Sofi provided!) I knew I could count on all of you to give me the scoop!

Hmm..I can honestly say I really don't know much about Vitamin C Serum, but I'd give the Mario Badescu kind a try. I've tried several of their products and I've loved them all.

I can't help you on this either dear,I don't use many products because of my irritated skin but I am reading a book about natural skincare and she did mention vitamin c serum and being good for your skin(the Truth about Beauty by Kat James)...tammy

I got an email about this a few weeks ago and I very much wanted to try it. Today I decided to buy it. I'll let you guys know what I think of it.

I've just ordered it, too! Let's compare notes, MeowAlyCat!

Sounds like a plan MartiniLush!

Hey, MeowAly - what did you pick as your free samples? I chose as one of them the Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C. I am wondering what the difference is between the two products, really and if one is better than the other?
https://www.mariobadescu.com/productDetail.asp?ProductID=200&CatId=20

I LOVE the philosophy microdelivery peel with vitamin C http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P72504&shouldPaginate=tru...
it is not a serum, but is a wonderful product that gives amazing results
I look forward to hearing about this product...I really like mb products.

MartiniLush: Ooh good sample choice! I didn't see that one, I was ordering online at work today and it was a bit frenzied so I just sort of quickly made my choices.

I choose:

Collagen Moisturizer (SPF-15)
Kiwi Face Scrub
Vitamin E Night Cream

I'm very much into vitamin E right now too. I like that they added this option. I've been ordering from MB for years, and they're always good about sending lots of samples, but usually they just send them based on you skin profile compatibility. I like that now we can choose.

But that Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C would be a really good follow up to the drops in a skin care routine. I do wonder if one could over do the exposure to hyaluronic acid? I've read that glycolic acid is very good into anti-aging and cleaning your skin so I always wash with DDF Glycolic Exfoliating Wash (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1809&categoryId=B70#more...). I like to have a good combination of products, I just want to make sure I don't overdo things, you know?

hanako - I also love that peel!! I do it once a week, it is like a religion with me! LOL!

MeowAly, I totally get what you're saying - the whole "too much of a good thing" principle, right?? I am going to call the MB salon when I get a chance over the weekend to ask about the two products and if I can use them together, etc....I will come back and post their answer, ok?

Dare to be FABULOUS!
It's much Safer to just take your C in a pill and leave it off your gorgeous Face, if evening out your skin tone is what you're wanting to do, try going to Babor.com and looking at their White Effect Products, you'll get a safer result.http://www.babor.com/product/437311.html
Big hugs and good luck sweety!

My favorite C product is actually the Philosophy C Powder. It comes with a tiny scoop and you can mix one or two with your moisturizer or combine it with their Hope in a Jar or When Hope is Not Enough serum.

This way the C doesn't lose it's potency and is activated just as your are using it. I have freckles and dry skin and this has helped trmendously. I have even mixed it in with my foundation or foundation primer. It's awesome.

I've tried Murad, Lancome, Clinique, Dr. Brandt, etc. and while some products have nice results, NO Vitamin C product has ever topped philosophy (and most are much more expensive!).

Mario Badescu makes a fantastic Botanical Facial Cleanser that has helped my face skin tone and evened it out, too. It's the creamy pale yellow one.

Thanks for sharing your find!

Another great line is Skinceuticals. They make such effective serums! They used them in a spa where I had treatments and I really love the line now. I wish we could have all the best under one brand, but I have not had the luck despite trying desperately!

jenious, that philosophy C powder certainly sounds interesting! I will also check that out! I have lots of research to do! LOL!

It is great and works well, But I may start mixing it with the Badescu serum rather than the hope is not enough serum because the ingredients are the same as the ones I love in the botanical facial wash by MB. Also, there is nothing but natural ingredients! Awesome!

jenious, thanks for reminding me about the Philosophy C powder. It's good to hear you've gotten good results.

MartiniLush: Yes, please do let me know what they have to say about that over at MB.

Vit C, IMO is an essential supplement, I use it daily. I do agree that it must be stabilized to be helpful. If the product oxidizes and changes color, I would not use it.

Image skincare has a great ACE serum, with a hyaluronic acid carrier. It is only sold in spas and not online. Image skincare has a website for locations. However, I do use a Vit C powder, to mix into treatment masks at work and that is a good alternative.

I do agree a hyaluronic acid supplement is excellent, as well as alpha lipoic acid, resveratrol and glucosamine for skin maintenance. I think it is essential also to take care from the inside to improve your skin on the outside, your body's largest organ.

Meringue, That line reminds me a LOT of skinceuticals. I will check it out! I'll use any excuse to go to a spa.

Update for MeowAlyCat (and anyone else who is interested!): I called MB. The rep I talked to said that the Vit C Serum and the Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vit C were quite different. She said the Vit C Serum contained a lot more vitamin C and that the Hyaluronic Emulsion was specifically for plumping and boosting moisture. She said that they could be used in the same regimen...the Vit C Serum should be used every other night, so on the nights not using the Vit C Serum I could use the Hyaluronic Emulsion....I will give it a try and let you know what I think, one my products come!!

Thanks for the update MartiniLush. I think I'll just stick with the Vitamin C Serum for now. I will be interested to hear about how you like using them.

Thanks for the info! The Hyaluronic Emulsion really sounds like something I will be ordering, too. Moisture and plumping are my two most wanteds!

Hi!! I'm an esthetician and its Def a good idea to use this product /Vit C on your face daily. It helps build collagen and helps fight against free radicals and aging. We have been told that it is something you want to use every day. Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in WATER..its very good for skin that is LACKING water, not Oil. So if you are dry and lacking oil this wont fix the problem, it wont HURT, but it wont give you more oil...only moisture. There is a different btw being water dry and oil dry in your skin. Anyway - it sounds likes its got great ingredients. Ladies, just make sure you read your labels!! There are many things out there that are NOT good for your skin!! If its got MINERAL OIL, get RID OF IT!! If its got anything ending in "paraben"..its a chemical that has been linked to breast cancer..they're in everything!! All women should use a serum ..but most do not know their importance! And SPF is a MUST (all year long....if u see day light..put it on!!!!)

hope this helps....someone!!
Cindy

Hi!! I'm an esthetician and its Def a good idea to use this product /Vit C on your face daily. It helps build collagen and helps fight against free radicals and aging. We have been told that it is something you want to use every day. Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in WATER..its very good for skin that is LACKING water, not Oil. So if you are dry and lacking oil this wont fix the problem, it wont HURT, but it wont give you more oil...only moisture. There is a different btw being water dry and oil dry in your skin. Anyway - it sounds likes its got great ingredients. Ladies, just make sure you read your labels!! There are many things out there that are NOT good for your skin!! If its got MINERAL OIL, get RID OF IT!! If its got anything ending in "paraben"..its a chemical that has been linked to breast cancer..they're in everything!! All women should use a serum ..but most do not know their importance! And SPF is a MUST (all year long....if u see day light..put it on!!!!)

hope this helps....someone!!
Cindy

Thank you so much Cindy for the advice!!!

Can any policy,however high minded, be moral if it leads to widespread corruption,imprisons so many,has so racist an effect,destroys our inner cities,wreaks havoc on misguided & vulnerable individuals and brings death and destruction to foreign countries?

Thanks, Cindy. That's the scary one I avoid: Paraben" (and petroleum). It is in many of my favorite products so I'm trying to find replacements! The Badescu is all natural, so if it works that would be great.

I wonder how to tell if you are lacking water vs. oil... and if it's oil causing dryness, what can you do to fix it? Hmmm... Thanks again!

Hey Jenious!!

No problem!! Anything I Can do to help educate and make women more beautiful and healthy!!

To answer your question - if you are lacking water - your skin will have kinda of..hmm..it will almost look as if there is a thin layer of elmers glue on it..so when the skin moves, it will be wrinkled. Its not shiny as glue would be, but its really fine lines basically. Believe it or not, many woman who have a lot of wrinkles and lines around their eyes have them due to being dehydrated, not aging. SO drink up Ladies!! Get in as much H20 as possible!!! Make sure if you using an eye cream by at least 25 yrs old too!

If you are oil dry (opposed to dehydrated) you can use plant oil...these oils are the closest thing to human sebum (oil). Now you have to be careful with some of the thicker ones as they may be comedogenic (cause acne, block pores)..but for us ladies with dry skin, thats usually not the issue (acne). I suggest jojoba oil..straight up jojoba oil. Aveda makes one called "all sensitive". I use it on my skin..after I wash and tone..I put on a layer of jojoba oil ..then my serum...then my eye cream, face moisturizer/spf, etc. Dont forget to use spf on ur lips too!!

Hope this helps..let me know if you have any other questions

Cindy

And if you need help finding a "paraben" replacement...I might be able to help. I am really big into the "pareben free, cruelty free, no animal byproducts or animal testing thing". Smashbox is up there as one of my all time FAV's!!! People are becoming much more aware now that there is junk in our makeup and skin care..and are becoming concerned and FINALLY wanting more out of their products! I mean..we do absorb all of the chemicals within SECONDS! It all adds up over time. The FDA does not regulate ingredients in our products, so we can have anything in there!! Did you know that animal byproducts can come from road kill? or even the beloved family pet that was euthanized at the vet with their FLEA Collar on??! Yup..and we're putting on that lip gloss...and ingesting it allllll day. Sick. Women need to be more aware of whats in their products and what their putting ON their faces...and in their bloodsteam!!

That is great info! It is really time the US catches up with what many countries already abide by in terms of ingredients and toxins. I read somewhere the scientific percentage of what our skin absorbs and it was scary-high! My creams and lotions all had junk in them. It's difficult to find products that are more toward the cosmetic side, like makeup, compared to skincare. For instance, foundation primer. I love the results and effectiveness of my Laura Mercier, but sadly it contains some black-listed ingredients. That is a great point about pets, too. And they're usually smaller so it would be more potent!

Vitamin-C is always great for the skin, but it's the type of Vit C that matters. Now that you're using your Clarisonic, I'm sure you read that it helps to absorb up to 60% (?) more of it. The problem I see with many concoctions is that they have Acsorbic Acid listed, rather than L-Ascorbic Acid, which is the one that really penetrates into the skin. Perricone products contain L-Acsorbic Acid, but I'm not willing to pay the price. Instead, I make my own moisturizer using products from skinactives.com and beyond-a-century. Hope that helps. The truth is that any extra Vit C helps, even in other forms and even when taken internally.

L-Ascorbic acid is the same as Ascorbic acid. Anyone interested in a nice homemade vitamin C serum recipe for much,much less than those expensive brand names, give me a PM.

Excuse me, you're right mustardseed. My husband just corrected me. The best one for absorption is called Ascorbyl Palmitate. It's fat soluble, which makes all the difference. We get it online at (www.beyond-a-century.com) at 100 grams for $10.50. If you want to ingest Vit C, then regular Ascorbic Acid will do just fine.

I'm a HUGE fan of beyond a century. Been buying from them for years. They save me a TON of money and their quality is great.Actually L-Ascorbic acid is the best form of vitamin C to use in a serum. It is the one used in most studies. As you might be aware, it can go bad pretty easily so it must be used in conjunction with proper ingredients.

Cool! Another satisfied customer! I would like to know where you get your information, as I have read different things than you, mustard. Feel free to PM me. Obviously we both share a passion for making our own products!

Got my MB order today!!! Will be back to let you all know my thoughts once I have had a chance to try this out!

I've never used Vit C serums.... Please let us know how it goes.