Homemade Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid (Instructions & Products Needed Below)
With today’s cosmetics trend leaning more and more towards back-to-basics and natural, it’s no wonder there’s also a movement for DIY skincare products. This is especially true now that, with a little bit of internet savvy, everyone has access to all the information needed to make these products. Researching your own products would allow you to address your specific needs and use only the ingredients you want.
Vitamin C serums are among the most popularly developed products by DIY skincare enthusiasts. This is mostly because commercial serums tend to be very expensive. Additionally, vitamin C needs to be handled and stored correctly. Otherwise, it becomes useless.
Hyaluronic acid is also one of the most hyped ingredients in skincare today, especially when it comes to skin lightening and anti-aging. Because of this, it is also one of the most popular ingredients combined with vitamin C to make a potent serum. But why have vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums become so popular in the first place? The answer lies in the skincare benefits of each.
The Effects of Vitamin C on the Skin
Apart from helping boost the immune system, vitamin C is widely recognized as a powerful antioxidant that helps reverse the process of aging. That’s the reason why it is commonly found in anti-aging skincare products. Time and again, research has shown that vitamin C has positive effects on lightening the skin, clearing up blemishes, and boosting collagen formation. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps protect the skin from sun damage. These are the same benefits listed in the Topical Vitamin C study review published by the Dermatologic Surgery journal in 2005.
The Effects of Hyaluronic Acid on the Skin
Unknown to many, hyaluronic acid is actually a natural component of human skin. Among its most important functions is keeping the skin plump and hydrated. But as we get older, the hyaluronic acid in our body decreases. Just like elastin and collagen, losing hyaluronic acid has significant effects on how old we look. The faster your stores become depleted, the faster you age.
Luckily, multiple studies have shown that applying hyaluronic acid topically is effective in slowing down the skin’s aging process. The comparative study published by the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology in 2011 specifically demonstrated that, when applied on the skin, hyaluronic acid has significant effects on elasticity and hydration. Additionally, the researchers found that hyaluronic acid with low molecular weight formulations offer the best results because the skin more easily absorbs them.
The Benefits of Making Your Own Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Admittedly, there are a number of vitamin C serums that work very well, and many of them are also formulated with hyaluronic acid. However, the issues with commercial serums are plenty. And since there are so many products to choose from, it could be challenging to find the right one. Additionally, there are a number of factors in terms of formulation and storage that could affect the efficacy of store-bought vitamin C products.
To fully understand the benefits of making your own vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid, it’s essential to recognize the issues common among store-bought alternatives. Here are some of the most crucial ones:
Oxidation
L-Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular forms of vitamin C for the skin because of its proven efficacy. However, many don’t realize how unstable this ingredient can be, especially when exposed to air and liquids. That’s why it’s essential to handle it properly when formulating the product and then storing it properly to keep it from oxidizing so quickly.
Vitamin C’s most important function is as a potent anti-oxidant. When fully oxidized, it is essentially rendered useless. Worse, it could degrade into erythrulose — a chemical compound commonly used in self-tanning products. So, it won’t just be ineffective; it could also cause skin darkening.
Concentration
Although incredibly potent, vitamin C works best when applied in concentrations of over 10%. In fact, most dermatologists recommend 20% vitamin C concentrations for better absorption and efficacy. For hyaluronic acid, the ideal formulation should be around 1%. The problem is, store-bought products rarely indicate concentrations. Whether that’s a matter of keeping their formulations safe from copycats or purposely avoiding admitting to an insufficient dose is beside the point. The point is, there’s no way for you to tell whether you’re paying for the ideal doses.
Formulation
Oxidation and concentration are both formulation issues. But another thing you won’t be able to control with commercial products is the additional ingredients. To deal with a number of issues like oxidation and preservation, some skin care companies add a host of preservatives to their products. True, that minimizes your risk of spoilage. But that also exposes you to a number of unnecessary ingredients.
Additionally, many store-bought serums have artificial fragrances that are supposed to make them more marketable. However, such additions are not only unnecessary but could also be harmful, especially if you have sensitive skin. Worse, some have parabens and other ingredients that have been linked with cancer.
Price
Of course, price is always one of the most significant issues when it comes to cosmetics. The cost of products varies greatly with some serums costing less than $10 per bottle while others cost upwards of $500. The real problem is that price isn’t a guarantee of effectiveness. You could really be paying a couple of hundred dollars for a product that’s just as effective — if not less so — than a similar product you can buy for just a few bucks.
By making your own vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid, you can avoid all these issues. You can keep your serum fresh by making it in small batches or even by mixing the vitamin C in just when you’re about to use it. You can control the formulation based on what works best for your skin. Also, you can decide on exactly what other ingredients you want to add. All in all, DIY is a win because you can gain all these benefits all while keeping costs down.
Recipe for DIY Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum
There are many ways to make your own vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid. If you’re new to this, below is a basic recipe that you can try. As you go along, you’ll be able to make observations on how you can tweak this recipe to suit your needs better. You’ll also be able to explore adding other ingredients that might benefit your personal skincare routine. Truly, the beauty in DIY is that you’re in charge, and everything is made according to your own needs and preferences.
What you’ll need:
- L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
- Hyaluronic Acid Powder
- 4-ounce Amber Jar
- 100ml Cold Distilled Water
- Measuring spoons (¼ & ⅛ tsp.)
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What you’ll do:
- Take ¼ tsp. of Hyaluronic Acid Powder and pour it into the jar.
- Pour 100ml of water into the same jar.
- Replace the lid and shake the jar vigorously for approximately 30 seconds.
- Place the jar in the refrigerator.
- Every 10 minutes for the next two hours, take the jar of hyaluronic acid and shake it before placing it back in the fridge. Eventually, you’ll notice that the mixture has a thicker consistency — much like a gel. This is what you’ll use as a serum.
How you’ll use it:
- After cleansing your face, place ⅛ tsp. of vitamin C powder on your palm.
- Take about ¼ tsp. of the hyaluronic acid serum and place it on top of the vitamin C powder.
- Rub the mixture with your fingers until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Apply the hyaluronic acid and vitamin C mixture directly onto your face or other areas you want to treat.
- Do this twice a day after cleansing your face and let it absorb completely before applying your usual moisturizer.
Buying store-bought skincare products is undeniably the most convenient option. But, a DIY vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid addresses all the critical concerns about its commercial counterparts. You can limit the vitamin C exposure to minimize the risk of oxidation. You can also control how much to use as well as what other products to add. Lastly, you don’t need to spend too much on branded cosmetics since the ingredients you buy for this will last for months.
