Vitamin C Complex31 in New Beauty Magazine
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Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:09 pm Quote

Hi There,

This is my first post here, but I am not new to the world of beauty products and skin care....I can't believe how much I have learned on this forum in one day though! I didn't even know derma roller existed until today and of course, I just ordered one.

At any rate, I have been using Obagi 20% C serum for a while and I am almost out. While reading the current issue of New Beauty magazine I noticed an ad for Complex31 vitamin C treatment. It claims to be more stable than other C products- it has a 23% concentrate and is oil and water-free. I was going to order it, but they are out of stock.

I was wondering if any of you C experts have heard of this product and if so,what are your thoughts on it.

I need to buy a new C soon. Thinking about re-buying the Obagi 20% or the Obagi 10% w/ 4% hydroquinone, or Vivier (just found out about that product today from you guys) or wait for the Complex31 to become available ...I was told about a week.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you,
Gia

PS- I just got Restylane in my lips for the first time two days ago. I am loving the look and hope it stays for me. I was told by my doc it would last six months, but after reading the forum, I see the average is about 3-4. Sad

enjoys freebies · Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:19 pm Quote

Please check out the thread on DIY serums:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=30503

It has so much good information it is hard to digest all at once.

enjoys freebies · Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:07 am Quote

gia wrote:

Thank you for the link but I am not a DIY kind of girl. I wish I had the patience for it cuz I am sure it would save me a ton of $.

The Complex31 must be new bc I even google it to check reviews and nothing came up. The girls on this forum seem to be up on the latest and greatest, so I thought I would check here.

Gia,

I am the same as you, not a DIY kinda gal. I also saw the ads for this and it really peaked my interest. Hopefully, someone knows more about it.

Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:03 pm Quote

kdd2411 wrote:

Gia,

I am the same as you, not a DIY kinda gal. I also saw the ads for this and it really peaked my interest. Hopefully, someone knows more about it.

Hi!

I actually did order this product. I've been using it for about two/three days now. I will give you my thoughts on it when I have a little bit more time.

G

enjoys freebies · Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:36 am Quote

Can you post the ingredients list?

With any C serum - not only is strength important, but stability and pH too and there are so many posers out there Wink

BF

enjoys freebies · Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:55 am Quote

I think I saw an advertisment of it on-line. It's claiming to be from Switzerland?

enjoys freebies · Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:05 am Quote

Barefootgirl wrote:

Can you post the ingredients list?

With any C serum - not only is strength important, but stability and pH too and there are so many posers out there Wink

BF

http://complex31.com/complex31.aspx

I can't find the ingredients on the site anywhere.

Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:04 am Quote

rileygirl wrote:

Barefootgirl wrote:

Can you post the ingredients list?

With any C serum - not only is strength important, but stability and pH too and there are so many posers out there Wink

BF

I can't find the ingredients on the site anywhere.

This is the list of ingredients. (taken from the back of the box)

l-ascorbic acid, dimethicone, isododecane, ethyltrisiloxane, polysilicone-11, cyclopentasiloxane, c12-15 alkyl benxoate, ceramise 2, palmitoyl hexapeptide-14, palmitoyl oligopeptide, tribehenin, ethoxydiglycol, phenoxyethanol

So far, here are my thoughts on Complex31. Keep in mind I have only used it a few days!

The texture of the product surprised me. I am use to a liquid/gel form of C topical, with an orange base. Complex31 is white in color and goes on more like a thin paste. It feels just a little grainy as well. I also can feel the silicone in the product. However, it absorbs fairly quickly and unlike the liquid C, it is not sticky at all, which is a plus.

It comes it a white tube and coupled by the texture will hopefully make the C more stable over time? Since it is white in color, it definitely does not give you that instant glow you get when using the liquid orange form of C. Hopefully, over time this product will give better results though, but I haven't used it long enough to report on the long-term effects.

Hope this helps!

enjoys freebies · Sun Jul 19, 2009 1:27 pm Quote

This appears to be ascorbic acid suspended in silicones. The purpose of silicones is to form a barrier on top of the skin to prevent substances from penetrating the skin.

In order to be effective, ascorbic acid has to penetrate the skin - so I have no idea how this can be of any benefit at all.

BF

Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:00 pm Quote

Barefootgirl wrote:

This appears to be ascorbic acid suspended in silicones. The purpose of silicones is to form a barrier on top of the skin to prevent substances from penetrating the skin.

In order to be effective, ascorbic acid has to penetrate the skin - so I have no idea how this can be of any benefit at all.

BF

Geez, do you ever have anything positive to say? I've read a few of your posts and almost all seem to be extremely negative. I guess you have to be a cynic to be part of this forum. No thanks.

When I originally started I asked if anyone has used this product. I was directed to a DIY thread which has nothing to do with what my question was about. When I politely responded I am not a DIY kinda of girl, I guess that offended someone and my post was deleted. Ridiculous!

This does not seem like a community I want to be part of.

Ciao!

enjoys freebies · Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:25 pm Quote

Look's like useless crappolla to me too .. Embarassed

enjoys freebies · Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:52 pm Quote

gia wrote:

Barefootgirl wrote:

This appears to be ascorbic acid suspended in silicones. The purpose of silicones is to form a barrier on top of the skin to prevent substances from penetrating the skin.

In order to be effective, ascorbic acid has to penetrate the skin - so I have no idea how this can be of any benefit at all.

BF

Geez, do you ever have anything positive to say? I've read a few of your posts and almost all seem to be extremely negative. I guess you have to be a cynic to be part of this forum. No thanks.

When I originally started I asked if anyone has used this product. I was directed to a DIY thread which has nothing to do with what my question was about. When I politely responded I am not a DIY kinda of girl, I guess that offended someone and my post was deleted. Ridiculous!

This does not seem like a community I want to be part of.

Ciao!

Good grief... Shock

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:31 am Quote

Does anyone have a scanner and post the page it's on NewBeauty magazine?

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:18 am Quote

Hi, Gia.
I think there is no need to worry. From the ingredients list, Vitamin C Complex31 seems like a good product, in my opinion.

From what I can see, it's a high content of l-ascorbic acid (the most effective form of vitamin C) paired with peptides in a polysilicone base.

This serum seems very similar to SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex, which contains vitamin C and vitamin E in a poly silicone base (but no peptides). Independent research has shown that SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex is capable of combating signs of aging.

It's a good thing that your serum is snow white. That means it has not oxidized and lost its potency. The orange vitamin C serums that you have been using in the past, are unfortunately oxidized and useless (potentially slightly harmful).

The only thing that bothers me about Vitamin C Complex31, is that there are no reviews or information about it on the Internet except from what you find on their website. But ingredients wise I find no reason for worrying. Also, Swiss skin care has a good reputation. Good luck! Smile

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:09 am Quote

According to Skinmedica, their C serum incorporates something called a proprietary "dermal patch" which would allow the ascorbic acid(s) to penetrate the skin even in the presence of the silicones.

As far as I can tell, they are unwilling to describe it in detail, claiming competitive harm - which I can somewhat understand.

BF

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:15 am Quote

Oh wait!

I forgot to mention some positives related to skincare:

For me:

A good skincare regimen

Restylane in my tear troughs

Botox for my forehead

Stress management Smile

Trying to live my life like it's golden.

BF

Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:37 am Quote

gia wrote:

When I politely responded I am not a DIY kinda of girl, I guess that offended someone and my post was deleted. Ridiculous!

This does not seem like a community I want to be part of.

Ciao!

Gia, nothing was deleted but for some reason, your post is there but invisible. I will look in to it but in the meantime, I will add a copy your original post at the top of kdd2411's so that it is at least in order.

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:33 am Quote

This is alittle bit off topic but related to Vit C in any form L-ascorbic, magnesium ascobyl phosp., etc.
Do you guys know how much vit C is too much??
for example if you use a product with vit C AM, would it be too much to use vit C at PM too?
thanks a bunch!

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:35 am Quote

gia wrote:

This does not seem like a community I want to be part of.

Ciao!

Gia, this is a great forum. There is a ton of information to learn on here. There are people from all over the world, different personalities, and people are just trying to share what they have learned, which can be taken wrong if one doesn't have an open mind. Hope you'll stick around to see what a wonderful group of people are on this forum.

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:03 am Quote

Angy, as long as your skin doesn't become irritated, using Vit C in the pm and am is fine. Just don't mix it with copper peptides (such as in SB's formulas) or you'll look like you are wearing war paint.

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:09 am Quote

Angy wrote:

This is alittle bit off topic but related to Vit C in any form L-ascorbic, magnesium ascobyl phosp., etc.
Do you guys know how much vit C is too much??
for example if you use a product with vit C AM, would it be too much to use vit C at PM too?
thanks a bunch!

I've learned through research that when applied topically (and also through supplements), the skin can only absorb so much, and the rest is eliminated... 15% seems to be the limit for topical use.. (MAP + some other forms are suggessted at about 5 to 7%...L-AA, which is the king of C, is best uitlized by the skin at 15%.)

I occasionally apply my C serum a.m. + p.m., and also skip days altogether.. (Your skin will tell you when it's had enough.) Once absorbed, it stays active in the skin for up to 72 hours, and can't be washed off.

I've also learned that just like LED's, vitamin C applied topically doesn't work for everyone.. (About 60ish% of users will reap the rewards!)

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:16 am Quote

True. I haven't noticed any difference when I use it. My derm swears by it. Recommends it at 20% in the am and pm, along with Retin-A in the pm. That would finish me off... Some people say it is excellent for their skin.

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:21 am Quote

Thanks a lot Kassy_A. Your post it's very helpful. So I guess it all depends if my skin could take vit C AM and PM.
Antonia -good point. At least for me vit C has helped me a lot with hyperpigmentation. But, i havent'seen much help with my lines...

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:25 am Quote

Kassy_A wrote:

L-AA, which is the king of C, is best uitlized by the skin at 15%.)

This may be a silly question, but what is L-AA?

enjoys freebies · Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:11 am Quote

kdd2411 wrote:

Kassy_A wrote:

L-AA, which is the king of C, is best uitlized by the skin at 15%.)

This may be a silly question, but what is L-AA?

L-AA is L-Ascorbic Acid, and is true Vitamin C ...

AA is Ascorbic Acid that has the L + D factor removed.. (The folks who sell it will tell you it is the same, but it isn't.. It's synthetic once those factors are removed.. More stable, less effective!) Some vendors don't even know the difference.. Embarassed

)

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