Homemade Vitamin C Serum VS Store Bought
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In recent years, there has been a shift in the consumer market. People are returning to nature and seeking a natural solution for their problems. The primary reason for it is that they are a healthier option and are free from harmful chemicals. They are relatively affordable, and you can make these at home.
One such natural ingredient is Vitamin C. Acidic in nature; the vitamin is often part of many skincare products. We are BIG believers in completing your skin routine with a homemade solution. But is it always a good idea when it comes to Vitamin C? In this article, we will try to answer if making home vitamin C face serum is a good idea and if it is safe and effective as compared to the store-bought products.
- Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Face
- Why would you want to make one at home?
- What are the precautions for using homemade Vitamin C serum?
- Does homemade vitamin c serum work?
- Easy Recipes We Tried
- Reasons to the store buy Vitamin C Serum:
- Who Should Try Vitamin C serum?
- FAQ Homemade Vitamin-C
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Face
Before we move on to some serious question about the serum, let's have a look at why you should add Vitamin C serum to your skincare routine:
1. Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein that is responsible for the skin’s structure and support. However, with age, collagen becomes weaker, which leads to wrinkles and fine lines. So, using Vitamin C, especially after 30, will boost collagen production and keep your skin young for longer.
2. Free radicals are the molecules responsible for sun damage—the free radicals can damage collagen by clinging to them. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C protects our skin cells by neutralizing them.
3. It plays a role in soothing sunburn by reducing skin redness and replacing the damaged skin cells with new ones.
4. It is hydrating for the skin by retaining the skin moisture and minimizing the transepidermal water loss.
5. Vitamin C helps in lightening pigmentation by impeding the production of melanin. It also reduces skin dullness by making it smooth and glowing.
6. It is known to treat skin inflammation and reducing skin redness to even out the skin tone.
7. It boosts wound healing. Vitamin C helps in speeding up the recovery of the wound overall.
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Why would you want to make one at home?
The answer to this question is relatively simple — Making your own vitamin C serum means that you will control what ingredients to use. It will be free from nasty preservatives and 100% clean and organic. Not only that, but DIY serums generally save you money.
According to some users, homemade vitamin C serums tend to be more effective than store-bought ones. However, this is not necessarily true. You must take precautions while formulating your own serum.
What are the precautions for using homemade Vitamin C serum?
When making DIY vitamin serum, people make a lot of mistakes. However, these mistakes can be avoided by practicing a few precautions. Here are the points that you need to be careful about:
· Choosing the Right Carrier: Most recipes of homemade vitamin serum recommend simply dissolve vitamin C tablets or powder in distilled water. However, this way is not that effective. Since vitamin C will recrystallize as soon as you apply this mixture to your face and will not penetrate the skin, the best way is to add a carrier ingredient to your DIY serum. Glycerin or propylene glycol are good carriers as they enhance penetration.
· Be Careful about the pH: L-Ascorbic Acid (the purest form of vitamin C) has a pH of 2.2-2.5, which is too low for our skin. It is essential to make sure that your serum is at a pH of 2.8-3.4. It will ensure that you enjoy the benefits of vitamin C without encountering irritative skin.
· Store it properly: Highly unstable; vitamin C oxidizes and loses its effectiveness if exposed to light or heat. It is highly recommended to add a stabilizer to your DIY serum to make sure it lasts longer. You can add antioxidants such as ferulic acid and vitamin E to make it last for longer.
Note: If the serum turns brown, it has gone bad. Discard it immediately
Does homemade vitamin c serum work?
Yes! Vitamin C serum works but not for everyone and not after just 1-time usage. People with extra sensitive skin may encounter irritative skin after using vitamin C serum. Also, if any of the precautions mentioned above are not taken seriously, you might end up with a batch of serum that is wholly ineffective and will not give you the results you expect. Also, to see the visible effects of vitamin C serum, you will have to use it for a month.
Easy Recipes We Tried
RECIPE 1:
Ingredients
Vitamin C powder (100% natural, extracted from fruits and herbs) - one teaspoon
Distilled water - one tablespoon
Vegetable glycerine - two tablespoons
Glass bottle or container to store it (the container should be dark-colored as Vitamin C oxidizes very quickly)
How to make Vitamin C Serum:
In a bowl, take one teaspoon of Vitamin C powder ( if you have sensitive skin, reduce the amount of powder used) and dissolve it in 1 tablespoon of distilled water. Add two tablespoons of vegetable Glycerine and stir to make a homogenous solution. Store it in a dark-colored container. You can use this serum for up to one month or longer if kept in a fridge.
RECIPE 2:
Ingredients
Vitamin C tablets - two
Rosewater - two teaspoons
Vegetable Glycerine - one teaspoon
Vitamin E capsule - two
Glass Bottle or Container to store (the container should be dark-colored as Vitamin C oxidizes very quickly)
How to make Vitamin C Serum:
Crush the tablets of vitamin C in a container to form a powder ( if you have sensitive skin, reduce the amount of powder used). Add rose water to the powder and mix it well until the vitamin C powder is completely dissolved. Add one tablespoon of vegetable Glycerine and mix it well to make a homogenous solution. Squeeze in one capsule of vitamin E into the mixture and shake it well. Store the bottle in a cool and dark place for up to 2 weeks for the best results.
RECIPE 3:
Ingredients
Vitamin C tablets - two
Rosewater - two tablespoons
Vegetable Glycerine - one tablespoon
Vitamin E capsule - 1
Saffron - one pinch
Glass Bottle or Container to store (the container should be dark-colored as Vitamin C oxidizes very quickly)
How to make Vitamin C Serum:
In two tablespoons of rose water or distilled water, add a pinch of saffron and leave it for 5 hours or until the saffron loses its color and properties. Then add the water into a container and add one tablespoon of vegetable glycerin to it. Add two crushed tablets of vitamin C into the solution container. Squeeze in one capsule of vitamin E into the mixture and shake it well. Store the bottle in a cool and dark place for up to 2 weeks for the best results.
Reasons to the store buy Vitamin C Serum:
The reasons why you should consider get store-bought Vitamin C serum are simple:
Note: Here, we are talking about the PLANT BASED clean Vitamin C serums. We do not advise the usage of other serums that may contain toxic ingredients.
· You can use it every day without worrying about the preparation ritual.
· It will be much more effective as its formulation has been done in the lab to ensure that most of its benefits can be availed.
· There is a lower chance of skin irritation.
· Store-bought Vitamin C serum contains ingredients that further enhance its effects on the skin.
· The added ingredients also have additional benefits like skin hydration and balancing the skin tone.
· You can easily take it on your travels.
· It saves you a lot of time that could be lost in the preparation of homemade serum!
Who Should Try Vitamin C serum?
Everyone! Vitamin C serum has endless benefits. This one product can work wonders on any kind of skin and is especially beneficial after 30. A versatile product, vitamin C can be used in combination with other ingredients! It even prepares your skin for makeup.
FAQ
Can I crush vitamin C pills for my face?
Yes, you can! You can use vitamin powder or crush Vitamin C tablets to make a DIY serum for your face.
Does vitamin C lighten skin?
Absolutely! Vitamin serum aids in the reduction of hyperpigmentation by impeding the production of melanin. It also reduces skin dullness by making it smooth and glowing.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vitamin C serum?
No, it is not recommended. Undiluted lemon juice can cause skin irritation, and it will not offer benefits similar to Vitamin C serum.
Can you use vitamin C serum every day?
Yes! You can apply vitamin C serum every day, even twice a day! It will brighten your skin and give it a youthful glow while protecting your skin against sun damage.
References:
- https://wellnessmama.com/12076/vitamin-c-serum/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.13305
- https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Vitamin-C-Serum
