In the spring, the skin often looks quite tired. Many of us are wondering how to get a quick summer glow on our face. Fortunately, there will be more sunny days to come. You should enjoy the sun whenever it is possible. The sun makes wonders on the skin in small doses. Vitamin C can also refresh the skin. I’ve tried very simple C-vitamin serum on my skin for one week. I will now tell you how vitamin C serum works and how you can simply prepare it yourself at home.
Vitamin C is important for the skin
Vitamin C is one of the most effective antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent oxidation and fight free radicals. All antioxidants slow down the aging processes of the skin.
Vitamin C brightens the skin. It makes the skin look firmer and brighter. After vitamin C serum treatment, the skin immediately looks younger. Vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin in the skin. That is why it whitens dark spots and other pigment changes on the skin. Vitamin C acts as a whitening agent completely naturally, taking advantage of the skin’s own function. Vitamin C removes roughness and fine wrinkles from the skin.
I myself use vitamin C only in serums. They are more effective than creams. Vitamin C serum is intended for limited time use only, as a remedy. You will get good results already in a week. You should take a break from using the serum after a week. This way, the skin is not stressed by too many treatments.
Vitamin C is a very acidic substance
When preparing a vitamin C serum suitable for your skin, please bear in mind that vitamin C is a strong acid. It can damage your skin if you do not dilute it enough. A dilution suitable for even sensitive skin is about 5% solution. So, you need 5 grams of vitamin C per one decilitre of fluid. Of course, you can make even stronger serum. Some persons skin can tolerate up to 20% vitamin C solution. Personally, I would never use such a strong solution.
Vitamin C is very easily destroyed
I have my concerns about ready-made C vitamin serum. Vitamin C is a very sensitive substance. Therefore, it should be used really fresh. Vitamin C can be destroyed instantly by heat, water, light and oxygen. Therefore, I recommend preparing only a small amount of serum at a time. This will ensure the effectiveness of the product. You can use vitamin C serum prepared by yourself for about 1-2 weeks if you have protected it well.
Vitamin C serum does not need preservatives. Ascorbic acid is in itself a preservative. Although the product is not perishable, its quality suffers during storage.
Ascorbic acid powder
In this product I use pure ascorbic acid powder. There is plenty of vitamin C in different berries and fruits. However, they contain also many other plant chemicals that can irritate the skin. Pure ascorbic acid powder is also easy to dose. You know exactly how much vitamin C is in your product.
There are many different types of ascorbic acid products available. The usual claim is that they have differences. Personally, I have acquired the pure ascorbic acid powder. It is L-ascorbic acid that is said to be the best for cosmetics. However, I could imagine that other products will do as well.
How to neutralize vitamin C serum
I often make 10% vitamin C serum. It’s definitely too strong for my own skin. Therefore, I neutralize it to a suitable strength. For neutralization, pH strips should be used as an aid. They will tell you when the acidity is appropriate. A 10% vitamin C solution usually has an acidity of pH 4.5-5. The skin of many may smart and irritate by this acidic solution.
You can use familiar and safe baking soda to neutralize the liquid. Add the soda in size of rice grain to the vitamin c solution and measure the pH in between. This will give you the right solution for you. Personally, I prefer to use serum strong in pH 6. But like I said, everyone’s skin is different.
Flax seed extract
Vitamin C is water soluble. That is why I have prepared this serum completely without oil. My favourite liquid base for serum right now is flaxseed extract. It is easy to make.
- Rinse a tablespoon of flax seeds and place them in a pot
- Add about 1.5 decilitres of water
- Boil the mixture on very low heat for 10-15 minutes
- Strain the flax seeds immediately hot from the broth
- Cool the broth and use it as a serum base
- You can use the rest of the broth as a hair gel
How do I prepare vitamin C serum?
You will need a small glass pipette or pump bottle. It would be great if you had a small scale that measures with gram accuracy. That would make it very easy.
You will need these:
- 20 ml of flaxseed extract
- 2 grams of ascorbic acid powder
- baking soda, equal to 3 rice grains
- 2-5 drops of essential oils if desired
- Small glass bottle with pipette or pump
- Do like this:
- Put all ingredients in a bottle and shake
- Make sure that all ingredients are completely dissolved
- Store in a dark and cool place. The fridge is the best place. Vitamin C is very easily destroyed by light.
How is Vitamin C Serum used?
Test the suitability of the product first. Some people have very sensitive skin. Then strong acids like vitamin C are not suitable. If you are sensitive, dilute the solution well.
Use 1-2 drops of serum at a time. The skin may require some time to get used to this treatment. Apply the serum to clean skin and allow it to absorb for a while. Then add moisturizer.
I have also mixed a drop of serum with moisturizer and applied it on the face. As far as I can see, this method is the gentlest on the skin.
How do you treat your tired spring skin?