One of my favourite ingredients to on ‘in between’ days when I’m not blasting my face with retinol and AHAs is vitamin C. It’s one of the most proven collagen-encouragers on the block, has awesome antioxidant properties and can help minimise the look of pigmentation. Not all vitamin C is created equally, however. The most potent form (my favourite, naturally) is ascorbic acid, often referred to as L-ascorbic acid when it’s been stabilised.
So, if you like hard guns like me and you’re shopping for vitamin C, always check to see that it’s ‘ascorbic acid’ you’re getting and not his less potent brothers, things like ascorbyl palmitate, and ensure its sitting nice and high in the ingredients list. Or better yet, listed as a percentage. If you’ve got super sensitive skin, 5% is okay. But I like the recommended ‘max’ which is 15% to 20%. *Rubs hands together with glee!*
At present, one of my favourite vitamin C serums is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic which is 15%. It’s also got vitamin E in it which is brilliant as vitamin E boosts the efficacy of the C. I also like that it’s in a watery, liquid form so I can wear it under any moisturiser. The negative, however, is that at just over R2K, it’s super duper expensive. Sometimes I can afford it and other times I can’t. Thus, I’m always looking for wallet-friendly winners and this is where the fabulousness that is Lamelle Correctives Recharge CE Complex (R760, Dermastore) comes in.
A serum packaged in an airtight pump, it contains a whopping 20% of vitamin C – and the potent kind, pure unadulterated ascorbic acid plus 3% vitamin E. You guys, this product’s existence fills my heart with sooo much joy, it’s ridic.
If you’re looking for an excellent value super potent vitamin C serum, this guy is a new bestie. The fact that it’s silicone-based isn’t wondrous because my oily-combo skin doesn’t love that but I wear it at night so it’s not a big deal if it sends me to shine town. If you’ve got a drier skin type you probably won’t give a toss and find it acts as a great base for make-up.
Love, love
Leigh
Lipgloss is my Life 
Hi Leigh. Will this help for acne scarring?
More collagen will always help with scarring but first prize would be to pop into a Skin Renewal branch near you. They’re BRILLIANT with acne scarring and might suggest laser or even just injecting a filler into a deeper pock that will take a few seconds and the results will last up to 9 months. If I were you I’d do that because they’ve seen and treated it all. They can also suggest the right product. Rather hit it with a hammer and nail it 100% correctly the first time then waste time on lost of misses that can add up. Good luck, hun!
Thanks for your advice, Leigh. They initially helped with my adult acne flare (the doctor there discovered that a round of antibiotics destroyed my gut) about a yr ago so I think it’s time I head back there.
Pleasure! All the docs there are brilliant, they use cutting edge tech and the prices are very fair because they’re such a large group. Hope they sort you out beautifully x
Oh heck yes. Adding that to my list ASAP.
It’s faaaaabulous!
I’m officially addicted to Vitamin C in my evening skincare! I’ve been using The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone and while I don’t like the silicone feel in it, it’s ok at night time. It’s one of their two highest concentrations, and I saw a difference after using it every other night for 10 days!
They have another one which is the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% which I’d like to try next. It’s still listed as one of their two highest strength ones, as it contains a suspension of 23% L-Ascorbic Acid powder. They actually have a chart to show the formulation/potency/price/absorption of their Vitamin C products (here – http://theordinary.com/vitcguide) and they rate their Retinols as well (varying from the strength and irritation rates) which I really like (here – http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-granactive-retinoid-5pct-in-squalane-30ml?redir=1) I’m currently using their highest strength/lowest irritation one as my first real foray into retinoid and loving it!
.https://sugarspiceblog.co.za/
Thanks so much for your brilliant input! I’m dying to try The Ordinary products! I put in an order with a friend overseas a few months back and it arrived but she fell pregnant and cancelled her trip to SA. I told her to keep my goodies and will put in an new order when I run out out of all the products I have on hand run dry. Got a lot of vitamin C and retinol that I want to use up before it starts turning yellow and weird. I’m speeding up the process by using them on my chest too. But ja, I’m loving Lamelle’s serum. The silicone texture isn’t ideal ‘cos I can’t wear it in the day but it’s become a night time favourite. I also wear it on days when it’s just me sitting at home working and nobody has to see my shiny face ;-P But now I’m dying to try that 30% in silicone. 10 days to mooiness is something I can totally get behind!