After the birth of my third child, my skin changed. I noticed the color was not as even and spots were starting to pop up. I especially noticed it when looking back at older photos of myself. What’s a crunchy Mama to do? I could not justify spending the cold hard cash on those expensive lightening creams, nor did I want to use those harsh chemicals. So, I did some homework online and found some great skin serums. I experimented and came up with my own version that also soothes the skin. I use it every night and LOVE it. I hope you enjoy my DIY Vitamin C Serum too!
Why this is good for your skin:
- Vitamin C: It’s just all around great for your skin: “A significant body of scientific research supports the use of cosmeceuticals containing vitamin C. Cutaneous benefits include promoting collagen synthesis, photoprotection from ultraviolet A and B, lightening hyperpigmentation, and improvement of a variety of inflammatory dermatoses. Because of the diverse biologic effects of this compound, topical vitamin C has become a useful part of the dermatologist’s armamentarium” (source)
- Glycerin: It is moisturiziung and has beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin (source)
- Aloe: The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties (source)
Note: This is a recipe for a 10% serum, if you make it stronger, it can burn your skin. With regular use you can test making it stronger — but take it slow. Do your homework when you want to increase the strength!
Vitamin C Serum
As we get older, our skin changes. This homemade vitamin C serum soothes your skin without any harsh chemicals. I use it every night for glowing skin.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp Distilled Water
- 1/4 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
- 1/4 tsp Pure Aloe Vera
- 1/2 tsp L’Ascorbic Acid Powder
Instructions
- Mix water, glycerine, and aloe in a small jar until combined.
- Add in the Vitamin C powder, cover the jar with a plastic lid and shake it until the Vitamin C is dissolved.
- Pour into a colored glass dropper bottle. It is important to use colored glass because Vitamin C oxidizes fast!
- This serum has a shorter shelf life than most cosmetics because the Vitamin C oxidizes in the water over time. So, make it pretty often. I find that I make it about every 1-2 weeks.
Notes
Note: You might find it tingles when applied, this is normal. If it burns, then make a weaker dilution or use it every other day.
I apply Vitamin C Serum to my face every morning when I wake up and every night before bed. It can be applied morning and night!
Recommended Products
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Watch my how-to video below
CLICK HERE to Pin this Recipe
Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16029672
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12013198
None of these health benefits have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. They should not be used in place of personal judgment or medical treatment when needed, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. (Only your doctor can diagnose and treat disease.) Read my full disclaimer.
46 Replies to “DIY Vitamin C Serum for Glowing Skin”
Great newsletter! I have essential oils but haven’t been using them lately. Signed up for your email class! Pinned the non-grain flours and vitamin C serum posts, too. Thanks for all the great info!
I just placed my order for the coffee. I’ve been looking for a healthier coffee. I know how important mushrooms for good immune health. Thank you for the link.
I hope you like it Anita. I love it! 🙂
Would it hurt to add a drop of therapeutic grade Orange Essential Oil this?
I think that would be lovely 🙂
Can you explain how to choose the correct ascorbic acid powder, please?
I would like to buy a much smaller amount. Not sure that I could use this large container full before it goes bad.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Connie! This is an older post of mine, and the ascorbic acid was only available in that size. I just checked and found a much smaller size and I updated the post. But here is a link as well: https://rstyle.me/+FvbPb2QDPAHMljaHmKXmCQ. Hope you love it!
Do you know of any other uses for the vitamin C powder?
I have only used the vitamin C powder for this serum
Is the aloe vera in liquid form or gel?
its a liquid
Can you let me know where this serum falls in order with your other items? Do you do this with toner and your moisturizer? Or is this in place of one of those? Trying to figure out the order to use all these great recipes! 🙂
This is what I put on before any lotion or makeup, morning and night
Thank you for the quick response! So, this is after toner?
I just made this tonight pretty excited about it! Should the texture feel like you’re putting on water to your face? Also how much do you normally use?
I made this tonight super excited! I just wanted to know if the texture of it should feel like water? Also how much should I use?
It does feel like water. I use a dime sized amount in my hand
Could you make your own vitamin c powder out of organic orange and lemon peels for this recipe or would you recommend buying the vitamin c that you recommend?
I would buy the powder, its pharmaceutical grade. Not sure on the efficacy of using orange peels as a powder
wondering if I could add the vit c powder just to the rosehip oil based serum I already make?
Sure, that works!
When I try to add the vit. C powder to another product the powder doesn’t melt completely making the serum gritty.
It takes some shaking for it to dissolve completely
Why do you have to use Vit C Powder, wouldn’t Liquid version work?
This is a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C powder, that elicits the desired effects
Hi, I wanted to ask if you wanted to do a 20% solution of vitamin c what would the recipe be. Thank You.
This post details it nicely: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/1lfm47/diy_vitamin_c_serum_a_really_full_explanation/
Hi, but what if I wanted to do the same recipe you have on here but in 20% instead of the 10% serum with the aloe and the glycerin. The recipe you have works great. I was just trying to make the same recipe but in 20%.
Thank You so much for the link.
Hey! Can used 365 high potency vitamin c powder ascorbic acid to make in serum?
if that one is pharmaceutical grade
Can a pill form of vit c be crushed and used?
It has to be the pharmaceutical grade, so a vitamin supplement will not have the same benefit.
Can you add a preservative to this to make it last longer? If so what would you add?
I don’t think so, the vitamin C is what degrades fast.
Hi Kate. The only Aloe Vera I could get is 100% pure oil. Will this work? It doesn’t seem to mix all that well. Also, on the video, the amount you come up with seems a lot more than I ended up with. Are you using I tiny bottle or doubling the amount? Thanks…new to your blog but enjoy it.
it’s a tiny bottle
Hi Kate. Will 100% pure aloe oil work?
Thanks.
I am not familiar with aloe oil, I use this: https://realfoodrn.com/purealoevera