Need Recommendation on C Serum...
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free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:47 pm

I am considering adding a C serum to my routine, but am confused by so many C serums I read from the forum: Skinceuticals CE, Cellular Skin Rx, Emergin C, AlphaDerma, etc.
Could anyone please share your experience? Any suggestion welcomed. TIA. Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:30 pm

Been using SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF since May and love it. I always buy the small vials from Ebay for freshness. Supposedly this formula is better for oily skin versus the CE. I don't need anymore oil on my skin during the day.

free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:40 pm

I love Cellular Skin Rx as the price is so much more affordable than the others (for me personally) and I think it holds its freshness very well (very stable and does not change colour).

It just melts into the skin and does not leave a sticky film. You get a slight tingle when applying it for the first time though. I find that I only need to put it on every second day. That could just be laziness though as my morning routine is so long now!

free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:26 pm

Skinmedica vitamin C complex. It's in an anhydrous base (no water) in an airtight vacuum pump so it doesn't have stability issues like the water-based vitamin C serums. The formulation includes vitamin E. Although the base contains silicones but I haven't read of acne prone people breaking out on this. In fact, more people break out from the water-based C serums that have butylene glycol in the base.

free skin care · Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:32 pm

lunathefinal wrote:

I am considering adding a C serum to my routine, but am confused by so many C serums I read from the forum: Skinceuticals CE, Cellular Skin Rx, Emergin C, AlphaDerma, etc.
Could anyone please share your experience? Any suggestion welcomed. TIA. Very Happy

I would look over this article...Obagi serums have proven to have some of the highest levels of penetration due to their delivery systems. If you are going to pay for it, you may as well get the best bang for the buck!

Quote:

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMPI), a leader in topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health systems, announced the results of an in vitro study of their Obagi Professional-C and Obagi-C Rx Serums today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting in Chicago. The data show that Obagi-C Rx Serum (4% hydroquinone, 10% L-ascorbic acid) provided a more than 10-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product, Skinceuticals(R) 20%. The Obagi Professional-C Serum (20%) resulted in a more than 5-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product.

In addition, both Obagi Medical Vitamin C Serums were proven to have greater stability than the leading competitor, which is important given that topical vitamin C products can be unstable thus potentially making them less efficacious.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1503462/obagi_medical_products_presents_in_vitro_data_showing_its_topical/index.html

free skin care · Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:32 am

bethany wrote:

lunathefinal wrote:

I am considering adding a C serum to my routine, but am confused by so many C serums I read from the forum: Skinceuticals CE, Cellular Skin Rx, Emergin C, AlphaDerma, etc.
Could anyone please share your experience? Any suggestion welcomed. TIA. Very Happy

I would look over this article...Obagi serums have proven to have some of the highest levels of penetration due to their delivery systems. If you are going to pay for it, you may as well get the best bang for the buck!

Quote:

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMPI), a leader in topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health systems, announced the results of an in vitro study of their Obagi Professional-C and Obagi-C Rx Serums today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting in Chicago. The data show that Obagi-C Rx Serum (4% hydroquinone, 10% L-ascorbic acid) provided a more than 10-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product, Skinceuticals(R) 20%. The Obagi Professional-C Serum (20%) resulted in a more than 5-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product.

In addition, both Obagi Medical Vitamin C Serums were proven to have greater stability than the leading competitor, which is important given that topical vitamin C products can be unstable thus potentially making them less efficacious.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1503462/obagi_medical_products_presents_in_vitro_data_showing_its_topical/index.html

I would not put too much weight on the Obagi study. This is not a scientific peer-reviewed study, and as far as I can understand, it's conducted by the Obagi company itself. Most companies end up with very good results when testing their own products.

Keep in mind that this is an "in vitro" study. The serum is not tested on living human beings. We have no idea about the penetration rate of the Obagi serums on human skin.

The vitamin C serums that have most backing for their effectiveness and are often recommended by dermatologists, are SkinMedica C Complex and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. These serums also contain vitamin E. Vitamin C and E work synergistically and give better antioxidant protection than vitamin C alone.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:08 am

Probably not popular here but i just got Avon's vit c serum. So far im liking it. It dosent sting like skinceuticals did on me. It feels a little oily at first because of the glycerin but sinks in quickly. I find it makes me wait the required time before moisturising that way anyway. Skinceuticals made my skin dry and tight and id want to moisturise straight away.

It also has good reviews on MUA.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:25 am

My favorite is the Skinceuticals C, E, Ferulic. If that is too expensive, Cellbone makes a similar version that futurederm.com gave a good review on. She could not tell any difference after using the Cellbone vs the Skinceuticals.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:59 am

Thanks very much for all the inputs. One follow up question - how much concentration should I start with so that I wouldn't get my skin irritated? Is 15% too much? Thanks. Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:25 am

Septembergirl wrote:

The vitamin C serums that have most backing for their effectiveness and are often recommended by dermatologists, are SkinMedica C Complex and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. These serums also contain vitamin E. Vitamin C and E work synergistically and give better antioxidant protection than vitamin C alone.

Septembergirl, do you have any independent studies for those products? If you can point me to them, I would love to read them since I am new to ascorbic acid solutions.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:53 pm

I've heard good things about SkinCeuticals Ferrulic C + E (I think that's what it's called) and the Obagi C serum.

I'm currently using the Ole Henriksen C serum (Truth Serum Collagen Booster) - simply because I bought it - and I don't want to throw it out! Wink

(But, from this forum, I found that it's not the best - because it comes in a clear bottle which allows the inherently unstable C solution to degrade.) But, since I bought it - I'm going to finish it. (It does sting a bit when I put it on - so I'm hoping that there is *some* C in there! LOL)

So far, though, when this runs out - I think I'm going to go for the SkinCeuticals. (It's pricey, but from what I hear, it's one of the best...) I'm just bummed that EDS doesn't carry it... Sad

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:21 pm

bethany wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

The vitamin C serums that have most backing for their effectiveness and are often recommended by dermatologists, are SkinMedica C Complex and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. These serums also contain vitamin E. Vitamin C and E work synergistically and give better antioxidant protection than vitamin C alone.

Septembergirl, do you have any independent studies for those products? If you can point me to them, I would love to read them since I am new to ascorbic acid solutions.

Hi.
SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
is highly recommended by top dermatologist Dr Leslie Baumann and futurederm.com obviously because of the addition of ferulic acid in this serum. It contains 15 % l-ascorbic acid, 1 % vitamin E and 0.5 % ferulic acid. In a study published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2005) it's shown that ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin.

Quote:

Ferulic acid is a potent ubiquitous plant antioxidant. Its incorporation into a topical solution of 15 % l-ascorbic acid and 1 % tocopherol improved chemical stability of the vitamins (C and E) and doubled photoprotection to solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-folds measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation.

http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v125/n4/full/5603565a.html

SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex
A double-blind study conducted by Drs Fitzpatrick and Rostan (2002) was published in Dermatological Surgery (a peer-reviewed journal) in 2002. This product contains 10 % l-ascorbic acid, 5 % Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (oil soluble vitamin C) and vitamin E in a polysilicone base.

Quote:

Application of Vitamin C Complex results in clinically visible and statistically significant reduction of facial wrinkling. The clinical improvement correlates with biopsy evidence of new formulation of Type I collagen.

http://www.skin-medica.ru/docs/spesialist/VitC-Fitzpatrick-Low-Rez.pdf

I think the most important is to find a vit C serum that
- contains the l-ascorbic acid form
- is stable
- preferably contains the addition of vitamin E

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:35 pm

Hi Septembergirl,

So, which do you think is better? The Skinceuticals or the SkinMedica?

TIA! Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:04 pm

lunathefinal wrote:

Thanks very much for all the inputs. One follow up question - how much concentration should I start with so that I wouldn't get my skin irritated? Is 15% too much? Thanks. Very Happy

15% is just about perfect, more than that cost's more, but can't be absorbed..

Just like a C supplement, your body uses what it needs, and the rest is eliminated.

Be sure to look for one that incorporated vitamin E for a one two punch (as Septembergirl suggessted), and also look for one that doesn't have a laundry list of ingredients.. Too many ingredients will just disrupt the low PH needed for the C to be absorbed..

Also some folks may disagree, but the truth is without L-Ascorbic Acid in the mix, it really isn't going to benefit your skin deep down where it counts. Combining LAA *with* the oil based THDA is great though.

IMHO I think Skinceutical's C,E + Ferulic is about the best that money can buy...

ETA: The little stinging sensation you *might* feel when you apply it is a good thing, so don't worry about it.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:09 pm

Septembergirl wrote:

bethany wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

The vitamin C serums that have most backing for their effectiveness and are often recommended by dermatologists, are SkinMedica C Complex and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. These serums also contain vitamin E. Vitamin C and E work synergistically and give better antioxidant protection than vitamin C alone.

Septembergirl, do you have any independent studies for those products? If you can point me to them, I would love to read them since I am new to ascorbic acid solutions.

Hi.
SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
is highly recommended by top dermatologist Dr Leslie Baumann and futurederm.com obviously because of the addition of ferulic acid in this serum. It contains 15 % l-ascorbic acid, 1 % vitamin E and 0.5 % ferulic acid. In a study published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2005) it's shown that ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin.

Quote:

Ferulic acid is a potent ubiquitous plant antioxidant. Its incorporation into a topical solution of 15 % l-ascorbic acid and 1 % tocopherol improved chemical stability of the vitamins (C and E) and doubled photoprotection to solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-folds measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation.

http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v125/n4/full/5603565a.html

SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex
A double-blind study conducted by Drs Fitzpatrick and Rostan (2002) was published in Dermatological Surgery (a peer-reviewed journal) in 2002. This product contains 10 % l-ascorbic acid, 5 % Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (oil soluble vitamin C) and vitamin E in a polysilicone base.

Quote:

Application of Vitamin C Complex results in clinically visible and statistically significant reduction of facial wrinkling. The clinical improvement correlates with biopsy evidence of new formulation of Type I collagen.

http://www.skin-medica.ru/docs/spesialist/VitC-Fitzpatrick-Low-Rez.pdf

I think the most important is to find a vit C serum that
- contains the l-ascorbic acid form
- is stable
- preferably contains the addition of vitamin E

We're definitely on the same page Septembergirl.. Laughing

I was typing and cooking simultaneously, and didn't refresh the page before posting..

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:22 pm

taobunny wrote:

Hi Septembergirl,

So, which do you think is better? The Skinceuticals or the SkinMedica?

TIA! Smile

Hello, taobunny.
I have been using both and am liking both. None of them have caused me blackheads or other reactions, as opposed to Cellex-C and a couple of other vitamin C serums.

I think vitamin C serum is mainly for preventative purposes, and I cannot tell that one is better than the other in that respect. I believe they are both high quality products. Whereas SkinCeuticals has a liquid consistency, SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex is a white, silky gel-like cream.

Personally, I do prefer SkinMedica because it gives my face a very nice glow, that I miss when I am using SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. I have heard though that quite a few people do get a healthy glow from SkinCeuticals, so I guess that might differ from person to person. I have also found that the silicone formulation of SkinMedica is perfect for my slightly dry skin. HTH. Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:34 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

We're definitely on the same page Septembergirl.. Laughing

I was typing and cooking simultaneously, and didn't refresh the page before posting..

Wow, you are an efficient woman, Kassy. Wink

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:42 pm

Another vote here for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. I definitley prefer the consistency of the water based C serums to the silicone based serums.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:10 pm

Septembergirl wrote:

taobunny wrote:

Hi Septembergirl,

So, which do you think is better? The Skinceuticals or the SkinMedica?

TIA! Smile

Hello, taobunny.
I have been using both and am liking both. None of them have caused me blackheads or other reactions, as opposed to Cellex-C and a couple of other vitamin C serums.

I think vitamin C serum is mainly for preventative purposes, and I cannot tell that one is better than the other in that respect. I believe they are both high quality products. Whereas SkinCeuticals has a liquid consistency, SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex is a white, silky gel-like cream.

Personally, I do prefer SkinMedica because it gives my face a very nice glow, that I miss when I am using SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. I have heard though that quite a few people do get a healthy glow from SkinCeuticals, so I guess that might differ from person to person. I have also found that the silicone formulation of SkinMedica is perfect for my slightly dry skin. HTH. Smile

I`d like to add that Skinceuticals C&E leaves me VERY STICKY! I hate that Mad

I haven`t tried Skinmedica yet, I`m still waiting for it to arrive Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:05 pm

Aiva wrote:

I`d like to add that Skinceuticals C&E leaves me VERY STICKY! I hate that Mad

I haven`t tried Skinmedica yet, I`m still waiting for it to arrive Rolling Eyes

How nice to hear that a bottle of SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex is on its way to Germany. I hope you like it just as much as I do. Keep us posted on how you get on with it. Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:16 pm

Septembergirl, thanks for the studies...I will definitely check them out.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:34 pm

I love using Cellex-C High Potency Serum. It has brightened my complexion. Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:56 pm

I think both Skinceuticals CE Ferrulic and Skinmedica vitamin C complex are great products. I have tried the Skinceuticals Phloretin formuation recently and not too convinced that it's any better than the CE Ferrulic. My skin feels more comfortable with the CE Ferrulic. The Phloretin one might be more suitable for girls with oily skin though. It's less "sticky" than the CE Ferrulic.

free skin care · Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:08 pm

Septembergirl wrote:

Aiva wrote:

I`d like to add that Skinceuticals C&E leaves me VERY STICKY! I hate that Mad

I haven`t tried Skinmedica yet, I`m still waiting for it to arrive Rolling Eyes

How nice to hear that a bottle of SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex is on its way to Germany. I hope you like it just as much as I do. Keep us posted on how you get on with it. Smile

Hi Septembergirl Smile

yep, and you are credited for this - I`ve ordered a pack of samples based on your recommendations Wink

I also hope I`ll like it, but first... I hope I`ll GET it at last! Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:27 pm

I would like to mention that SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic (and probably other vit C serums as well) very well can be applied to lips.

I currently use SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex on my face to get the "glow" and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic around eyes and on lips. The SkinCeuticals serum has a somewhat oily consistency (IMO), and I find that it penetrates the lips well and makes them soft.

The most important though is to give the lips antioxidant protection throughout the day to prevent lines and wrinkles and collagen loss. After 20-30 minutes the serum is fully absorbed into the lips, and I apply lip balm on top. Voila! Soft, plump and protected lips that will not age faster than my face skin.

Smile

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