Can anyone recommend a department store brand Vit C
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free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:59 pm

my last EDS parcel vanished in the post somewhere and I'm so fed up with having no Vit C, especially with the sun so high in the sky.

I've bought online for years so I don't know any of these department store brands, but we have quite a few here in China.

Can anyone recommend a Vit C serum from one of them? We've got Shiseido, Elizabeth Arden (I think), Clarins, vichy, Avene and others.

I really want something right now. I'll go mad waiting for a new delivery.

Any recs, thanks. - Molly Smile

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:34 pm

Hi Molly - If you have access to Lancome, they have a Vit.C product called Sensation Totale. While I've not tried it, I've tried several other Lancome samples (got them when I've purchased makeup) and have been pleasantly surprised. If I hadn't discovered all of the salon brands I've heard about here on the forum, I'd probably be using several Lancome treatment products.

Likewise, I've been pleased with Avene products I use on a regular basis. Besides sunscreens, I use Ystheal for face and eyes which contain a mild retinoid (about the only level I can tolerate anymore). They're as gentle as claimed yet effective. If Avene offers a Vit.C product, it's probably good as well.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:46 pm

Hi m.april

Thanks, I'll have a look into the Lancome.

I tend to resort to Avene cleansers here when I run out, they're a very gentle range.

I was interested that you use the Ystheal. I tried it when it first came out and I couldn't see any difference, but I was a lot younger. I don't think I knew what to look for and my skin was quite nice so it was difficult to see improvements.

I've been considering a gentle retinol product for the summer. Do you really notice it gives your skin increased turnover? How does it compare to other retinol products? I'm currently using Green cream and I can really see the difference, but I can feel the skin barrier erosion in the sun too! Although it might be my imagination.

Thanks Molly

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:16 pm

I saw a definite brightening of my skin with philosophy products. I almost wish I didn't love the line so much, but I simply can not deny the nice effects I've seen, and others have remarked on.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:22 pm

I love Cellex-C. Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:09 pm

Molly - I agree that Philosophy products are good. They offer a Vit.C powder that's to be mixed with moisurizer or sunscreen, but I haven't tried it. It's an interesting concept, especially since Vit.C stability is an issue. The brand may not be as commonly available as others you've listed, though. If you try it, let us know!

I've never tried Green cream so I have no idea how it compares to anything else. But I hear what you're saying about compromising the skin barrier -- I worry about that as well and it's another reason I've backed away from stronger retinoids. What I CAN compare is Ystheal and SkinCeuticals Retinol .5%. I used the SC for several months and could never tolerate it more than 3X/wk. Even at that, it made my skin quite dry and irritated. I hung in there thinking I'd eventually build up a tolerance but never could. Ystheal makes my skin peel eventually, but not nearly as much, and it doesn't cause redness or drying. My skin looks much better now -- plumper than it did while I was using SC Retinol .5%.

But having said all that, it should be noted that I could never tolerate the prescription retinoids Retin-A and Renova. Only Differin was tolerable, so I obviously don't have very tough skin when it comes to retinoids. And as I've aged, my tolerance has seemed to decrease (or else the SC is really strong stuff for an OTC product).

If you think Ystheal is too mild, you may want to try the Avene Diacneal range which I understand to be stronger. I think it also contains glycolic acid.

I also love Avene cleansers. In fact, I've really liked all of the Avene products I've used and I'd never even heard of the brand until last year!

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:12 pm

Thanks m.april

Actually I'm very responsive to Retin A and don't find it irritating, but the barrier thing frightens me in the summer.

So maybe it wouldn't have much of an effect - I think I'll post again and flag down any other users. You seem to be the only EDS user in the archives.

I went through a sensitive skin phase (down to medicine I was taking I think) a few years ago and used a lot of the Avene anti-redness/sensitive line. I found them extremely soothing - you might like that too.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:22 pm

I absolutley love philosophy vitamin c powder. I mix it with my serum and you can control the amount your skin can withstand.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:22 pm

I really love the SKII vitamin C serum.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:23 pm

Elizabeth Arden do have some VC capsules, though I've never tried it myself, I've heard a lot of raves about it.

I used Philosophy hope in a jar a few times, not long enough to make a judgement. All I can say is it did not irritate my skin, later I give the set to my mother and never heard about it ever since.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:44 pm

I use Lancome Sensation Totale, I'm on my second bottle in fact. However, I don't see any effects from the Vit C at all, I use it because it's the only product that gives me OPTIMAL moisture for my oily skin, it even mattifies my skin quite nicely. It was so difficult for me to find something that wouldn't be TOO much moisture or TOO little because both can cause me to secrete more oil - this is the only product that works.

But regarding the Vit C I really couldn't tell what it did for my skin - and there are lots of silicones in this, I'm not planning to repurchase since I'm gonna be buying Skinceuticals serums after I finish this bottle.

free skin care · Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:59 pm

thanks for the feed-back Sormuimui

I was just looking at the MUA reviews on the Sensation Totale seems it's very like Idealiste not what I'm looking for.

I think I might go for the La Roche Posay. It's only 5% L-Ascorbic, but it's also the only one who will say what percentage is in it. Better than nothing I suppose. I wonder how stable it can be in a cream though. Anyone tried it?

I remember now, that's the annoying thing about these big brands which is one of the reasons I never use them.

Molly

free skin care · Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:24 am

Hiya Molly Smile

I have used Activ C (on/off) and Activ C for eyes (regularly) by LRP.

I like it. It's stable. I've been using the Activ C regularly and the residue in the cap/nozzle turns yellow, but the stuff in the tube remains white. So I'd say the LRP packaging is very elegant and functional that it keeps the C stable even at 5% Smile

Here are the ingredients from http://www.dermatologistrx.com/cart/SearchOne.asp?Criteria=19325

Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, 5%
Inactive Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Nylon-12, Ascorbic Acid, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca/Apricot Kernel Oil, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Sodium Citrate, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum/Fragrance

free skin care · Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:33 am

That's great JozieGroznie Very Happy

Just what I needed to hear. The search is over. I so love Vit C.

free skin care · Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:58 am

I think Lancome offers Vitamin C products (similar to La Roche Posay Active C 5% L-ascorbic acid).

Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:14 am

Hi there, I am a 34 yr old male and I have been using Peter Thomas Roth Power C20 Anti-oxidant Serum Gel which contains stable 20% L-Ascorbic acid and very happy with it. It is quite pricey though! Price ranges from £50 - £70 in the UK. Hope this helps.

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