‘This new vitamin C serum is the only one that doesn't irritate my problem skin'
'I've been testing out this new skin-brightening vitamin C serum for months and can confirm it's a game-changer for blemish-prone skin like mine,' says our beauty editor
Skin experts agree that vitamin C is one of the best skincare ingredients you can add to your routine, proven to be effective at brightening and evening the skin, defending against future damage, and tackling other signs of ageing. Vitamin C serums and creams, though, aren't always tolerated well by all skin types, including sensitive or spot-prone complexions – both of which apply to me. However, I've been testing Medik8's brand new serum, and it's a game-changer for problem skin like mine.
Medik8 already makes a few hugely popular vitamin C serums, including the original C-Tetra (a longtime favourite with beauty editors) and C-Tetra Luxe (which has a richer texture). However, both of these are oil-based consistencies, which can block pores in blemish-prone – something I've certainly found in the past. Now Medik8 has just launched its C-Tetra Advanced serum, priced at £69, an effective formula containing 20% stabilised vitamin C in a gel-serum texture, designed to get visibly brighter skin and reduced wrinkles in just seven days.
I received a bottle of Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced a few weeks ago ahead of its launch and I've been using it almost every morning since. I was a little dubious about trying it as Medik8's existing vitamin Cs haven't been right for me, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this one; the formula is like a very light, runny cream instead of an oil, sinks into skin quickly, and layers brilliantly with my other skincare and make-up products (I currently follow it with Medik8's brilliant Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and my favourite Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral SKINSCREEN).
It did give a slight immediate brightening and evening out effect to my face, but it was about about a week of using it that I really started to notice a difference: my skin felt my much softer and smoother, looked generally more healthy, and my foundation looked fresher and less patchy. I didn't also get any breakouts or irritation (use it every other day at first if you're unsure).
Of course, other factors may have affected this result, but I'm thrilled to have finally found a high-performance vitamin C serum that suits my skin.
One point I'd flag is that it's not as hydrating as soon of my other favourite serums; usually I can go straight from serum to SPF in the mornings, but using this, I do need to apply a moisturiser in between. For this reason I think that this new launch is best for those with combination-to-oily skin, while anyone with dry skin should probably go for one of Medik8's other vitamin Cs (there's a handy tool on the website to help you to decide which is right for you).
C-Tetra Advanced is also quite highly fragranced (probably because vitamin C doesn't usually smell very pleasant); this isn't something I have an issue with, but if you're skin is very sensitive to scent, you may want to go for something like CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum, £29.
If you're looking for more alternatives, Facetheory Glow-C Vitamin C 20% Serum contains the same level of vitamin C (20%) but even cheaper at £23.
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