I have tried quite a few Vitamin C serums over the years. I’ve even found a few that I really liked, for short term use! But after six months or so, none of them were really sustainable, because they either irritated or broke out my skin. Ascorbic acid, the most popular and effective form of Vitamin C, is also the most unstable and potentially irritating. I finally accepted that having a slightly more effective product wasn’t worth it if I wasn’t actually going to use in consistently! Luckily for me, there are now a few options for a gentler, less irritating form of Vitamin C. I’ve been using the C-Luma Hydrabright serum from Drunk Elephant since October now – the longest I’ve ever stuck with a Vitamin C serum – and I love it.
Like I mentioned, most Vitamin C serums out there right now are formulated with ascorbic acid. It’s the most effective form of Vitamin C, but it’s also the most tricky to use. It’s super light and air sensitive, and loses it’s efficacy really quickly when it’s exposed to either of those, so it usually only lasts a few months after you start to use it. And it’s also tricky to use if you have sensitive and/or acne-prone skin like me! It can cause irritations and breakouts. When I tried to use products with ascorbic acid, I could always get in a few weeks of use, but eventually, my skin would start to revolt.
But I wanted to use a Vitamin C serum! I know it’s one of the best preventative products you can use for brighter and more even skin and preventing UV damage, especially long term. So I started doing some research, and found out about another option that exists – a chemical form of Vitamin C that’s slightly less effective, but more gentle and less irritating. It’s great as an introductory option, or for people like me who can’t tolerate the stronger form.
With that in mind, I started using Drunk Elephant’s C-Luma Hydrabright serum. It has Ascorbyl Glucoside, the less irritating form of Vitamin C, and has a blend of other ingredients that also help protect against UV rays, brighten the skin, and fade any post-acne / hyperpigmentation spots. It has a really nice texture – it has a tiny bit of creaminess to it, but it’s definitely still on the lightweight, serum side. It applies smoothly and sinks in really quickly, and doesn’t leave my skin sticky like some other Vitamin C serums that I’ve tried have. It also works nicely with my other serums and moisturizers and doesn’t pill at all.
Because Vitamin C products are meant to help prevent UV damage over time, it’s always tricky to talk about whether or not a product is working! Most importantly, it hasn’t irritated my skin at all, after months of use – the longest I’ve been able to use a Vitamin C yet. I really wanted to make I used it for months before writing this, to make sure it really was less irritating for me. I’ve also noticed that overall, my skin looks clearer, brighter, and more even. I’m really glad to finally have a Vitamin C serum with a permanent place in my routine.
