benefits of DIY ViT C serum
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

free skin care · Sun Jun 07, 2015 11:47 pm

Hi ALl,
I want to know WHAT and HOW SOON you do see the benefits of basic DIY Vitamin C serum ( made with L ascorbic acid + aloe vera or LAA+distilled water+glycerin)

Please advice..

Thanks
Mansi

Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:30 pm

I'm interested in this as well. I have a girlfriend who has recently started her own c serum home-based company and it seems like people like it a lot, and from what I understand her recipe is very basic like what you've described. I personally have tried C+E ferulic from...skin physician or whoever.... It was expensive and I wasn't that impressed to be perfectly honest. I was very impressed with Obagi - it lightened my spots and firmed my skin - it never looked so amazing as when I used the Obagi nuderm system (I wasn't using their c serum). I'm looking for something that will give me great results like this but I just don't feel comfortable using hydroquinone long term, so hopefully someone will chime in with experience with c serum that isn't crazy expensive and will deliver great results.

free skin care · Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:24 pm

Hi,

I have used a DIY vitamin C serum from 2002 and I would not go without it.

It is an anti-oxidant that fights free radicals and also can fade hyperpigmentation.

It takes an average of about six weeks for skin cell turnover to occur, so fundamental differences will take time to see. The initial changes may be so subtle that it is hard to see the difference. You could take photos in good light before starting and again 6 weeks later in the same light to look for changes. Skin health is also dependent on lifestyle factors, so results may vary.

IMO vitamin C serum is an important addition to a skin care routine. A high quality vitamin C serum may cost $80 to 120 per ounce and I have tried some of those and I always return to my DIY C serum, made for a few dollars a month.

Smile

free skin care · Sat Jul 04, 2015 4:33 am

Yeah, I think I'm going to do a DIY Vit C serum. I just don't see how it can stay fresh otherwise.
I do use an inexpensive Vit C and Hyaluronic Acid serum that works better on my skin than the high end products I've tried.
But I don't know if I can believe it's as good as it gets.
Doing it myself will insure the freshness and the C %..And it's so cheap to make.

free skin care · Tue Dec 08, 2015 4:41 am

Hi All,
I have been using Vitamin C ( L ascorbic acid)+ aloe vera gel ( mix it directly everyday and apply) since last 7 months or so. I do not see the kind of benefits people on this forum have been talking about after using vitamin C serum.. like reduced pigmentation and fine lines..

Any advice? I am 41 years old.. How can I get the Vitamin C serum work for me?

Thanks,
Mansi

free skin care · Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:42 pm

Quote:

I have been using Vitamin C ( L ascorbic acid)+ aloe vera gel ( mix it directly everyday and apply) since last 7 months or so. I do not see the kind of benefits people on this forum have been talking about after using vitamin C serum.. like reduced pigmentation and fine lines..

I have started DIY and am loving it more than the C serums I've bought.
A few things I might ask is if you're sure the C is mixing well enough in the Aloe Vera gel. I have to mix mine in warm water to get it to sufficiently dissolve.
And what percentage of C are you making your serum?

free skin care · Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:50 am

Hi Tigerlily009,
Yes my Vitamin C gets dissolved perfectly in aloe vera gel and it is not gritty at all.

I just take a really small pinch of Vitamin C crystal and mix it with enough gel ( 2 peas size) to cover the entire face..

What is it taht I am doing wrong?

Thanks,
Mansi

tigerlily009 wrote:

Quote:

I have been using Vitamin C ( L ascorbic acid)+ aloe vera gel ( mix it directly everyday and apply) since last 7 months or so. I do not see the kind of benefits people on this forum have been talking about after using vitamin C serum.. like reduced pigmentation and fine lines..

I have started DIY and am loving it more than the C serums I've bought.
A few things I might ask is if you're sure the C is mixing well enough in the Aloe Vera gel. I have to mix mine in warm water to get it to sufficiently dissolve.
And what percentage of C are you making your serum?

free skin care · Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:43 pm

Quote:

Hi Tigerlily009,
Yes my Vitamin C gets dissolved perfectly in aloe vera gel and it is not gritty at all.

I just take a really small pinch of Vitamin C crystal and mix it with enough gel ( 2 peas size) to cover the entire face..

What is it taht I am doing wrong?

Thanks,
Mansi

Well, I'm certainly no expert and I realize that everything doesn't work the same for some as it does for others. But I'm just suggesting that if you haven't seen anything notable after 7 months that you might consider another recipe before hanging it up..
You could try one of the many recipes offered in the DIY or just try the simplest one with distilled warm water. (Sarah Vaughter suggested boiling (even) distilled water first to get the air bubbles out and then letting it cool off) Just make sure your % of C is 10-20%. You can make enough for a few days to a week and it still stays fresh enough.
Just a suggestion.

Mon Dec 21, 2015 7:02 am

I'm using this simplest recipe - L ascorbic acid and boiled water - 1 part Vit. C crystals, 4 parts water.

I have a question - I've heard that Vit.C works very well with retinol. Do any of you use these two together? If so, in what order? Vit. C first and then retinol (or retinoid) or the other way round?

tigerlily009 wrote:

Quote:

Hi Tigerlily009,
Yes my Vitamin C gets dissolved perfectly in aloe vera gel and it is not gritty at all.

I just take a really small pinch of Vitamin C crystal and mix it with enough gel ( 2 peas size) to cover the entire face..

What is it taht I am doing wrong?

Thanks,
Mansi

Well, I'm certainly no expert and I realize that everything doesn't work the same for some as it does for others. But I'm just suggesting that if you haven't seen anything notable after 7 months that you might consider another recipe before hanging it up..
You could try one of the many recipes offered in the DIY or just try the simplest one with distilled warm water. (Sarah Vaughter suggested boiling (even) distilled water first to get the air bubbles out and then letting it cool off) Just make sure your % of C is 10-20%. You can make enough for a few days to a week and it still stays fresh enough.
Just a suggestion.

free skin care · Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:00 pm

Quote:

I have a question - I've heard that Vit.C works very well with retinol. Do any of you use these two together? If so, in what order? Vit. C first and then retinol (or retinoid) or the other way round?

I have heard that you can and that it works very well together. I don't because I use Retin-A and they would be too harsh together ...so I alternate.
Just be mindful of how much your skin can tolerate without becoming irritated.

Usually the rule of thumb is to apply the thinnest serum first and the thickest next. This is true for all skincare products. Thinnest to thickest.

Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:40 pm

Thank you for your reply, Tigerliy. I'll experiment and see how this combination works.

I've never heard about this rule, but come to think of it, it sounds logical and I more or less do that every day - first cleaner and toner, then AHA, serum, cream.

One more question - if I use this simplest Vit. C serum (LAA + water) I do not have to mess with pH, do I? It's low enough for Vit. C to work?

tigerlily009 wrote:

Quote:

I have a question - I've heard that Vit.C works very well with retinol. Do any of you use these two together? If so, in what order? Vit. C first and then retinol (or retinoid) or the other way round?

I have heard that you can and that it works very well together. I don't because I use Retin-A and they would be too harsh together ...so I alternate.
Just be mindful of how much your skin can tolerate without becoming irritated.

Usually the rule of thumb is to apply the thinnest serum first and the thickest next. This is true for all skincare products. Thinnest to thickest.

free skin care · Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:22 am

Quote:

One more question - if I use this simplest Vit. C serum (LAA + water) I do not have to mess with pH, do I? It's low enough for Vit. C to work?

I did check the ph the first time I made it but haven't bothered since ..
If it concerns you you can always buy some strips either online or at a drugstore.
If you are able to see results without it being overly irritating than you should be fine.

free skin care · Thu Jan 07, 2016 6:59 am

Hi Tigerlily,

Do you think that my VitaminC recipe could be the issues ( it is just a really small pinch of L ascorbic acid + aloe vera gel)..

Do you think changing the recipe might give me benefits? Please advice.. and why do you think so?

Thanks,
Mansi

free skin care · Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:03 pm

mansi123 wrote:

Hi Tigerlily,

Do you think that my VitaminC recipe could be the issues ( it is just a really small pinch of L ascorbic acid + aloe vera gel)..

Do you think changing the recipe might give me benefits? Please advice.. and why do you think so?

Thanks,
Mansi

These questions have already been answered.
My place is not to persuade you to do anything.
If you're happy with what you're doing than keep doing it the same way. If not, it's your decision.

Mon Jan 11, 2016 4:47 pm

Would like some advice on the ratio of my subject ingredients please.
I'm 63 with crepey neck and jowl lines that really depress me. Other than those flaws my face is pretty smooth; minimal laugh-lines, etc.
I've used OTC products without much success and want to use organics because it just feels right.
I have 20% vitamin c serum, rosehip seed oil and organic virgin coconut oil. What would be a good blend, or apply individually, in what order?

Thanks all for your advice!
Henri

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2016 7:30 am

Okay a few things here. Vit C serum is very unstable, light, heat etc all can impact it so that’s why store bought products often fall short of making your own stuff. However for it to be truly beneficial you need to ensure it’s the right ph strength (10-20%) – otherwise it will do nothing for you and is a waste. Likewise if you make a small amount and then leave it next to a heater or on a window ledge you are going to deactivate a lot of the goodness capable from it.

7 months is a longish time and sufficient time to have seen results but I suspect that doing only a pinch and not checking the ph may be why you haven’t seen anything special, but its also important to be realistic. What were you expecting and where are you starting off from?

With combining it with Retinoids, probably a good thing to do is use the Vit C in the morning, under sunscreen and then the Retinoids at night before bed.

Henri – in your case I’m not sure a vit C serum alone is going to help with those areas. You will want to try microcurrent or facial exercises to help with both those in conjunction with the vit C. Some people find coconut oil clogs their pores – not what I’ve found but what I’ve heard a lot.

free skin care · Wed Jan 13, 2016 3:35 am

HI TheresaMry,
Thanks.. I was looking for a reduction in pigmentation and a smoother skin with Vitamin C which I did not get..

May be eyeballing vitamin C is not good.. May be I need to make exact 20% serum and then I will be able to see some results... Let me try that.

Thanks,
Mansi

TheresaMary wrote:

Okay a few things here. Vit C serum is very unstable, light, heat etc all can impact it so that’s why store bought products often fall short of making your own stuff. However for it to be truly beneficial you need to ensure it’s the right ph strength (10-20%) – otherwise it will do nothing for you and is a waste. Likewise if you make a small amount and then leave it next to a heater or on a window ledge you are going to deactivate a lot of the goodness capable from it.

7 months is a longish time and sufficient time to have seen results but I suspect that doing only a pinch and not checking the ph may be why you haven’t seen anything special, but its also important to be realistic. What were you expecting and where are you starting off from?

With combining it with Retinoids, probably a good thing to do is use the Vit C in the morning, under sunscreen and then the Retinoids at night before bed.

Henri – in your case I’m not sure a vit C serum alone is going to help with those areas. You will want to try microcurrent or facial exercises to help with both those in conjunction with the vit C. Some people find coconut oil clogs their pores – not what I’ve found but what I’ve heard a lot.

Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:24 am

I have been reading this site and looking over all the recipes to make my own DIY Vitamen C.

I am really scared of messing up the measurements and causing damage to my skin.

Is this possible?

free skin care · Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:05 am

Arianna2300 wrote:

I have been reading this site and looking over all the recipes to make my own DIY Vitamen C.

I am really scared of messing up the measurements and causing damage to my skin.

Is this possible?

This isn't TCA acid so you're not going to do irreversible damage. But you can irritant your skin if you're very sensitive and I realize that everyone's not as tough as me..
You can avoid this by starting out with a simple recipe, a low (5%) % of C and testing out an area before you commit your entire face to it.

If all goes well then just slowly work your way up to a 15-20% of C ...and a more complicated recipe (if you want).
You'll be fine.
And if it happens to turn brown (oxidized) before you use it all up; throw it out.

Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:07 am

I get a local pharmacy to compound vitamin C into a liposomes gel base for 20 bucks every two months.

free skin care · Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:50 pm

NaagChumpa wrote:

I get a local pharmacy to compound vitamin C into a liposomes gel base for 20 bucks every two months.

That's very decent but I can't imagine any pharmacies around here would be willing to do that. Where are you located...and do you know the percentage of C they mix?

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