Want to Save This Article?
Enter your email & I’ll send it straight to your inbox. And you’ll get new recipes & tips each week.
I’ve been anxiously waiting to share today’s recipe. Let’s start with a little story…
Last month, Dustin purchased a surprise birthday present for me: a spa day! Dustin’s not a big gift person, so the fact that he took time to look for a naturally-minded local spa, check out spa ratings, and secretly make an appointment for me was a huge deal. I was so grateful and excited for my big spa day, until I arrived at the spa and discovered that a facial was in the package.
I’ve received facials in the past, and each experience has been less than desirable. In fact, every facial has felt like nothing more than a chance for the spa to sell me expensive beauty products. Not exactly relaxing or fun! I was super skeptical about getting a facial, but I knew the hard work Dustin went through to create the spa experience, so I decided to go through with the appointment.
A few minutes into the facial, the gentle esthetician inquired about my skincare routine, “What products do you use on your skin?” I hesitated for a few moments. I figured the relaxed environment might make my delayed response seem intentional. Should I tell her the truth? Friend, I was fearful to admit that I use “green beauty” products. I was afraid of her reaction to such a radical idea. Silly, right?!
A few minutes later, I replied and told her all about my green beauty skincare routine. The esthetician, Gen, softly voiced her encouraging words, “That’s wonderful! Amazing!” Suddenly, I felt comfortable to discuss skincare with Gen. She then asked about my skincare concerns, to which I replied, “I would love to do something about the scars left on my face from my past skincare issues, and the brown spots. Ugh, those brown spots that appeared with my second pregnancy.” Gen offered a solution, which she claimed would dramatically improve my blotchy skin and scars: a vitamin C serum.
Gen knew her stuff, so I decided to act on her advice. But the more natural vitamin C serum the spa sold cost $85 for a 2 ounce bottle, so I passed on the product and decided to research a possible homemade solution.
After a few hours online, I discovered that making a vitamin C serum at home is 100% doable and pretty inexpensive compared to spa brands. I purchased vitamin C powder from my health food store, and started playing around with various ingredient combos using 90% base ingredients and 10% vitamin C powder.
To make a loooong story shorter, let’s talk about my results…
After over one month of using my Homemade Vitamin C Serum in my regular skincare routine (my aloe and honey cleanser, toner, and moisturizing oils), the overall appearance of my skin has significantly improved! My skin feels smooth and soft. Plus, the blotchy dark spots and scars appear to be fading. Thank you, Gen, for your recommendations. And Dustin, feel free to book another spa day.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is something that’s naturally found in the makeup of our skin, particularly on the dermis and epidermis. I know, flashbacks to Anatomy and Physiology 101, right?!
Vitamin C plays an important role in skin health due to its antioxidant properties. Just think about everything our skin must work to fight against. Vitamin C aids in the repair and renewal of skin cells. This repair and renewal helps keep our skin looking youthful and healthy. From my reading, this is a natural process that’s continually occurring within the cells of our skin particularly when we sleep. Our skin is very smart. But sometimes our skin needs a bit of help, especially as we age or experience major life events like pregnancy or too much sun, so adding vitamin C to a skincare routine may help someone like myself–a gal frustrated with brown spots and scars. This post explains more about the benefits of using a vitamin c serum on the skin.
According to Gen and my online research, it’s important to apply a serum to the skin for 3 months to see noticeable results. So far, I’ve been using my Homemade Vitamin C Serum for a little over a month, and have been impressed with the results. Some sources encourage starting with a ratio of 5% vitamin C powder and 90% base (water and aloe are my “base” ingredients), then increasing to 10% vitamin C powder and 90% base, and finally 20% vitamin C power and 80% base. I’ve been consistently using the same percentage from the start, but feel free to use my ingredients and work out the math to meet your own skincare needs. My formula is roughly 16% vitamin C powder and 84% water and aloe.
Homemade Vitamin C Serum
Ingredients
- 1 tsp vitamin C powder
- 1 tsp filtered water
- 1 TB aloe vera gel + 2 tsp, I think aloe juice may also work in this recipe. I haven't personally tried aloe juice in my serum, yet.
- 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the vitamin C powder and filtered water. Whisk the ingredients until the vitamin C powder is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, stir in the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil.
- Pour the serum into a dark amber bottle (a funnel helps). Store the serum in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Around the two week mark you may notice the serum's pH level change*. Your serum may have a different color and consistency, depending on the vitamin C powder and aloe used to make this recipe. My vitamin C powder is pink, but many are white.
Notes
Recipe Variations:
I’ve played around with the recipe variations over the past month. Vitamin C serum can feel a bit dry on the skin, so I like to add the aloe and vitamin E oil to help compensate for this drying effect. I’ve also used this ratio: 1 tsp vitamin C powder, 1 TB each: water and aloe vera gel. The trick to this ratio is applying a fair amount of moisturizer before the serum fully dries on the skin since it can leave your skin feeling dry at first. I personally prefer the recipe above, with the extra aloe and vitamin E oil, but both have produced the same overall result for my skin. If your skin is irritated with my recipe then decrease the amount of vitamin C powder at first (use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) and slowly work your way up to more, if desired.
Many sources call for using vegetable glycerin versus aloe, but I found glycerin to be very sticky on my skin. If you have glycerin on hand, it may be subbed for the aloe.
pH Testing:
According to my research, an ideal vitamin C serum should have a pH of 3. For reference, a pH of 7 is considered neutral. I purchased a set of pH testing strips from Amazon so I can test each batch of serum. Vitamin C has a very a short life span. The serum may begin to fluctuate in pH when it’s no longer suitable for use on the skin. A change in pH may result in more harm than good when you apply the serum to your skin. So far I haven’t had any issues with pH since I make a batch of serum every 1-2 weeks. At-home pH strips are really easy to use, so if you’re interested in testing the pH, I recommend purchasing a test kit.
LOVE YOUR website + all of your recipes. I am interested in trying to make a serum that does not have to be kept in the refrigerator. What would you recommend as a base? oil instead of aloe vera gel/water? Thanks!
Hi Serena,
Vitamin c is very unstable so it needs to be stored this way and only made in small batches and frequently.
LS Team.
My Whole Foods only carries cobalt blue bottles. Will that work in place of the amber bottles?
Hey Kimberly, Yes, that’s perfect.
The C Serum which I love has stained my clothes and my hair (GREY HAIR) this has been a very easy recipe to follow, mine is very runny I use small pads to apply.
Hey. I am going to try this thanks. I love vit c serum and buy it all the time now I will try to make some. Trying to understand. So you leave it sit for about 2 weeks until its reached its consistancy? Or it is only good for 3 weeks? Also after how do we store it? In the fridge?
Hey Mel, You want to refrigerate it immeadiately after making. Vitamin C is not shelf-stable like this, so it needs refrigeration. Then it will last for up to a few weeks, so it’s only good for a short period of time.
Hi Kristin, Do you also have a recipe for a Vitamin C day cream for men? My wife uses expensive Vita C creams, sometimes i steal some of her, but since it is so expensive i thought it must be possible to make a good substitute as well. Hope you can help.
Hi Kristin,
What is the other substitute product that you can use for vitamin c powder as healthForce superFoods vitamin C isn’t available in India.
What percentage is the vitamin c you made?
Hi, I have been using your recipe for a few months now, it’s easy and effective. I just read an article today saying that vitamin c serum is actually bad for your skin, that it leads to the breakdown of elastin and collagen over time. Do you know anything about this, if it is true? thanks so much
Hey Carrie, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. Good question. I think there’s information out there to support any side, no matter what the topic may be. Personally, I believe Vitamin C is an incredible product to use especially as we age. Companies like True Botanicals and Marie Veronique (both of which are very science driven and proven clinical trials) make Vitamin C powders and serums for this reason.
Can I use favored vit c?
Hey Mia, Flavored vitamin C? I wouldn’t.
HI I have made this recipe but my skin feels very rough the following day after using the serum.
Can I apply rosehip moisturiser a short while after applying the serum?
Hey Marble, Definitely, a moisturizer/nourishing oil is great to use afterward if desired.
I love to use homemade recipes to pamper my skin. I will definitely try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Clair.
Can you give me the recipe for the 20% solution of Vitamin C serum.
As an esthetician I would like to add:
Distilled water is best
If you can find an amber pump bottle, it would be best.
Oxidation destroys the C, and everytime the bottle is opened you are exposing your formula.
***Be very careful going above a twenty/eighty formula, permanent damage may occur!
Rose hip oil has lightening qualities due to the concentration of C !
One may use this during the day if you follow with at least a 30 SPF
Grapeseed oil is one of my favorite carrier oils
It is non comedogenic, absorbs beautifully, helps with redness and inflammation
Have fun!
Hello, can I use rosewater instead of the filtered water in the recipe?
Hey Sandy, Sure, I would try it.
Hey There,
So I just made it exactly as written and using the same bottle you recommend of vitamin c and it is pretty much clear and a ph of 5. What should I do? I will bottle it and put in the fridge and add what you say 🙂
Hey Kate, I personally would use it. The color will differ depending on the vitamin c. My serum was pink due to the color of the vitamin c.
I’m more so confused about the ph. You said it shoukd be 3, but mine was more between a 5/6.
Hey Kate, A PH of 5/6 isn’t going to hurt you. You could try adding more vitamin C powder. That should bring the PH down a bit.
What brand of pH testing kit do you use? The ones I have looked at are for urine and saliva.
Hey Bhampatty, This is similar to what I’ve used in the past: https://amzn.to/2QpKop9,
Thank you, Kristin. I just ordered some. And thanks for the recipe and guidance.
Hello, love, love, love, your site. Happened upon it today when I was online searching for a good V-C oil. I am definitely going to try your recipe. Thank you for creating such a great website.
WHATS THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN E FOR SKIN?
Instead of filtered tap, how do you think distilled water would work?
Thanks!
Hey Kris, Distilled is even better.
Hi! Really love this recipe, going to make it today. One question though, why are we putting this in an amber bottle as opposed to clear?
Hi Mina,
Kristin is currently out of the country, but I’ll make sure to let her know of your comment so she can respond when she returns. As a preliminary answer to your question, it is usually recommended to use amber bottles for essential oils to minimize their contact with too much light as that can impact the quality of the essential oil. ~Rachel
Hey Mina, It’s to protect the fragile ingredient (Vitamin C) from light.