This post contains affiliate links. Product provided by Wishtrend.
It took me some time to effectively work vitamin C into my skincare routine. I used to get intimidated by the supposedly unstable formulas and the risk of oxidation. But now vitamin C serums are a constant part of my morning routine. I’m currently using By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum, available on Wishtrend (code LUCY15), YesStyle (reward code KBHOBBIT) and the official Wishtrend Amazon storefront.
By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum promises to brighten and even out the skin tone. It’s vegan and cruelty free.
How to use:
Apply a few drops to clean skin after toner
Gently pat in
Follow with the rest of your routine
I use this serum every morning after a toner pad, let it sit on the skin for a few moments, then follow with SPF. Vitamin C can boost the efficacy of sunscreens, so I like to pair those two products.
The consistency is very light and watery; my skin absorbs it almost instantly. If you have any abrasions or scratches on the face, expect some momentary stinging. There’s a very faint ascorbic acid smell, which I love. When I was little, we used to have little ascorbic acid / C vitamins - tiny hard round balls coated in a sweet yellow layer and super sour in the middle. It was such a treat. I still think of them every time I smell ascorbic acid, more than 20 years later. I often remember little things that my mother doesn’t, and I wonder what will be meaningful to my kids that’s slipping by me right now. But I digress…
Vitamin C products are best stored in cool, dark places. Refrigeration isn’t required. I keep mine in the bathroom in its original box to prevent as much light getting to it as possible. I used to refrigerate vitamin C serums, but then I’d forget to use them in the mornings because they weren’t with my other skincare.
The official Wishtrend graphics show the new product as clear and a slightly yellow version as “stable”. Mine was slightly yellow right after opening, which actually looks pretty normal to me when it comes to vitamin C serums. It’s a very very slight yellow tint. If the color ever becomes a deep yellow or orange, it’s time to get a new bottle.
My impressions
I was able to use this serum daily right away, but that may not be the right approach for everyone. 21.5% isn’t a low concentration, so if you are new to vitamin C or have very sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to do a patch test (that’s actually always a good idea) and start with a few times a week. I’ve been using various vitamin C serums consistently for over a year now, and had no issues starting By Wishtrend’s.
I have very fair, freckle-prone skin. I don’t mind freckles but definitely don’t want PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or large sun spots. Right now, my skin is already pretty even after years of diligent sunscreen usage and other hyperpigmentation tricks (check out this video for more info on what I use). By Wishtrend Vitamin C serum helps me improve things even more. My face looks smoother, brighter, and more even - as promised. I haven’t had any undesirable effects like dryness or irritation (aside from the slight stinging I already mentioned if I have a scratch or an open zit).
For other vitamin C recommendations, check out this post (must be a member of my Facebook group to view).
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By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum ingredients: Hippophae rhamnoides water, ascorbic acid, sodium lactate, 1,2-hexanediol, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, cassia obtusifolia seed extract, allantoin, xanthan gum, ethyl hexanediol