Use Vitamin C Serums to brighten up, layer up!
Despite the changing restrictions and alert levels, there’s one thought lingering in the back of everyone’s minds: it’s still a little daunting to head outside. Sure, places are starting to open up again and travel is becoming more frequent, but for most of us, the day-to-day remains relatively unchanged: working from home, drowning in coffee, surviving on our last thread of sanity. We’re getting by somehow. While we don’t know when it’ll be safe to spend the entirety of our days outside again, staying home does present a little opportunity. To update ourselves on election news, to binge-watch romance films, to actually get started on your new year reading goals—all those things. But this also happens to be the ideal time to put your forgotten Vitamin C serums to use.
Here’s why: sunlight and Vitamin C aren’t exactly the best of friends. While Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can protect against sun damage, it’s an ingredient that needs to be used with care. Case in point: most Vitamin C serums highlight the need for sun protection in their usage directions.
So, why pick up your Vitamin C serum now? It’s simple; staying at home means getting less sun exposure than we typically would have sans pandemic. This stretch gives you the window of opportunity to work on evening out your skin tone, brightening your complexion or minimizing hyperpigmentation—especially if you’re guilty of skipping sunscreen.
If you don’t already have a half-used serum in your skincare stash, we’ve got you covered. Check out our hand-picked Vitamin C serum recs below!
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Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Vitamin C serum that delivers results at this price point. While most brightening serums are priced upwards of P700, Garnier’s Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum comes with a P550 price tag (even better, it’s currently on sale for less than P500!).
Even with its relatively affordable price point, this serum does not scrimp on the good stuff. Powered by Japanese Yuzu Lemon, this serum delivers a potent punch of Vitamin C without the heavy, sticky feeling. Fair warning for those with sensitive skin: this formula contains alcohol, so be sure to patch test!
Shop the Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum on Shopee and learn more about their products on their website. Also, in case you needed more motivation to shop, Garnier has switched to plastic-free packaging!
ISNTREE C-Niacin Toning Ampoule
Let me make one thing clear: this brand does not get nearly as much love as it deserves. Do I sound like an ISNTREE fangirl? Perhaps, but I have my reasons. They have products that cater to all skin types, beautiful ingredient lists and sale prices that are almost as beautiful.
ISNTREE’s contribution to this Vitamin C round-up: the C-Niacin Toning Ampoule (P1,300, on sale for P699). While this product is technically an ampoule, you can use this product just like you would a serum. Its Vitamin C content comes from Sea Buckthorn, which reduces breakouts and regulates sebum in addition to brightening and fading scars. It’s also enriched with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and everyone’s favorite multitasker, Niacinamide.
Shop ISNTREE’s C-Niacin Toning Ampoule via SeekSpace on Shopee.
Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
Lo and behold, the ultimate beginner-friendly Vitamin C product. Whenever someone asks for a Vitamin C recommendation, this is often the first I’ll point them to. The Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop has an Ascorbic Acid concentration of 5%, which is a sweet spot for those flirting with the ingredient for the first time. Despite its viscous consistency, this product sinks into the skin nicely—no greasiness and no pilling!
Shop the Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop on Shopee and BeautyMNL.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
Activated C, a form of Vitamin C unique to Kiehl’s, is the superstar of their Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution (P5,179). What makes it special? Its stability, which is easily Vitamin C’s biggest weakness. Activated C is more stable, more potent and penetrates the skin easily to make quick work of discoloration-causing melanin.
Also in the formula: White Birch, an irritation-soothing ingredient, and antioxidant-rich Peony extract to promote skin clarity.
Shop the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution on Zalora.
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Go on now, don’t be shy—layer on that Vitamin C serum before your next Zoom meeting. Your post-pandemic skin will thank you later.
Art Matthew Ian Fetalver
