I’ve had a few experiences with Vitamin C: most recently it was the Inkey List’s Vitamin C which is 30% and I’ve also tried The Ordinary’s Vitamin C which is 23%. Both of them irritated my my skin so much – I didn’t have any redness or peeling but I did experience an itchy and burning sensation on my skin so I didn’t ever want to use them.
Instead, I’m using The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% and Alpha Arbutin 2% formula, and it’s much more gentle on my skin, with no irritation at all. The vitamin C brightens skin and the alpha arbutin targets dark spots and helps minimize them. Studies have show this to be as effective as hydroquinone without the associated risks of it.
The formula is slightly oily because the ingredients need to be in a waterless formula to stay stable. So this goes on like a oil but then absorbs into your skin. You could use vitamin C in the morning so take advantage of its antioxidant properties, but I use it at night time because I like to use Niacinamide during the day.
Pick it up for $10 online.
