This early post with my DIY vitamin C serum recipe is one of my most visited and linked to posts of all time!
When I first started making my DIY vitamin C serum recipe I was only making the 10% concentration. Now I make my DIY vitamin C serum recipe in smaller batches of two stronger concentrations… 15% and 20%.
My gravestone will probably say, ‘it’s not how old you are, it’s how old you look.’ And I invest heavily in looking younger than my age.
At forty, I’ve got one barely discernible forehead line, and not a trace of crows feet. I don’t think I can credit good genes. Instead, I credit staying out of the sun, wearing sunglasses year round, drinking lots of tea for the antioxidants, monthly fruit acid facials, and following a strict skincare program.
I love reading other people’s skincare routines, so in the spirit of sharing, here’s mine…
My Morning Skincare Routine
- Exfoliate with 2% Salicylic Acid (not on days following Retin-A night)
- Wash with Dove Soap
- DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe 20% (on a damp face)
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Eye Cream
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Serum
- Olay Complete Care SPF 15 Day Fluid (warm weather)
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Day Cream with SPF 15 (cold weather)
- Carole Maggio’s Ultimate Facercise
Scandinavian winters are hard on my skin because of the wind and artificial heat, so the Olay moisturizer is a bit too light in those months, which is why I switch to a heavier day cream.
My Nighttime Skincare Routine I
- Wash with Dove Soap (same as above)
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Serum (same as above)
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Eye Cream (same as above)
- Olay Firm & Lift Night Cream
- Baby Quasar MD Plus (three minutes per area)
- Carole Maggio’s Ultimate Facercise (same as above)
My Nighttime Skincare Routine II
- Wash with Dove Soap (same as above)
- Baby Quasar MD Plus(same as above, three minutes per area)
- Retin-A
- Boots Perfect and Protect Intense Eye Cream (same as above)
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Facial Oil
- Carole Maggio Facercise (same as above)
My skin can’t tolerate Retin-A on consecutive days, so I use it every other day, alternating between Nighttime Skincare I & II. The emu oil helps to prevent any irritation.
Facial Exercise
Facercise is meant to be done twice a day… ideally, I split it up between morning and night, but that doesn’t always happen. It takes eleven minutes so sometimes I do my first run-through, then the LightStim, then my second run-through. If I’m really pressed for time, I’ll skip one of the workouts, but I do at least one most days.
I also have a Facial Flex, but I’m just getting into that, so I don’t have any impressions. It only takes 2 minutes, so there isn’t much to lose, but it doesn’t do much for my upper face.
A lot of people think facial exercise is quackery, but I see results, so I’m happy to be a quack ; -)
DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe 15%
For a 15% solution, combine the following in a blue or amber bottle:
- 3/8 t l-ascorbic acid
- 2 t distilled water
Shake it vigorously for a few minutes until the powder dissolves, then add:
- 1/8 t propylene glycol (or glycerine if you have very dry skin)
And shake it a bit more.
DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe 20%
For a 20% solution, combine the following in a blue or amber bottle:
- 1/4 t l-ascorbic acid (same as above)
- 3/4 t distilled water
Shake it vigorously for a few minutes until the powder dissolves, then add:
- 1/4 t propylene glycol (or glycerine if you have very dry skin – same as above)
And shake it a bit more.
Introducing DIY Vitamin C Serum To Your Skin
If you’re just starting out with Vitamin C serum, start out with my original DIY vitamin C serum recipe in the 10% strength and gradually work up to the higher concentrations.
Use it every day for one or two weeks, if your skin isn’t stinging or burning, move up to the 15% DIY vitamin C serum recipe, then up to the 20% DIY vitamin C serum recipe.
If the serum irritates your skin, try using it every other day, then work up to every day.
How To Use DIY Vitamin C Serum
I use my DIY Vitamin C serum in the morning because it protects my skin from free radicals caused by UV exposure and because I use Retin-A every other night, which means that the serum doesn’t fit into my evening program.
I store my DIY Vitamin C serum in the fridge and mix up a fresh batch every week because it’s unstable and degrades quickly. The serum is usually clear, if it’s started to degrade it will turn color, at which point you should definitely pitch it and mix a fresh batch.
I used to make it in a dropper bottle, but I’ve traded the dropper top for a spray top and now I just give my face a quick mist, and let it dry before I use my eye cream, day cream, and make-up.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means that (at no cost to you) I’ll earn a small commission for any order placed through one of the links in this post.
Ourfamilyworld says
I’ve been using a vitamin C serum for a few months now and I love how it brightens my dark spots. I didn’t know that it’s easy to make your own. I will definitely try this. Thanks for the recipe.
Sage says
Its great stuff, but the prices are out of control. The deal breaker for me is how quickly it degrades. I love saving money with this recipe, but I also love that I can mix a fresh batch every week.
Michele B says
I’ve been wanting to try out a Vitamin C serum for a while now. I haven’t heard of face excerises until now. Taking care of your skin is so important, I wish I had done some things differently when I was younger.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds great! I love serums, but I never buy them because they can be so darn expensive. I’m slowly but surely making a library of home made skin care recipes, and now I’ve just added another great one to my list. Thanks so much!
Sage says
My pleasure :-)
Megan Elford says
I haven’t actually heard of Vitamin C Serum before, but I’m getting to the age where I should be concerned with facial care – it’s just not something I’ve thought alot about. I have a very simply skin care routine, but I definitely need to step it up.
Sage says
I started really paying attention to skincare in my late 20s and I’m glad I did. It’s definitely paying off.
Dia says
Growing up I have always had issues with my skin, but I never developed a skin regiment like I should have. I think I am going to try yours and see how my skin reacts to it. Thanks for making it so easy!
Sage says
I hope it works for you : -)
miss (@thedealmatch) says
I use vitamin c serum everyday and helps minimize my dark spots. Vitamin C serum can be really expensive and very hard to find a good quality product you can trust especially if we have a very sensitive skin. I made my own vitamin c serum a while ago but didn’t like the quality or ascorbic acid I purchased from amazon.
Sage says
You really should buy it from a formulator who specializes in skincare and cosmetic ingredients. I wouldn’t trust the ingredients from Amazon.
madsabout says
Can you recommend a supplier? Thanks for this great post.
vegetarianmamma says
I have never used vitamin C serum, I love that I can DIY it! I also appreciate your in-depth post explaining your routine and sharing tips. It is hard to find good quality products so when I can make them and know exactly what’s in them, I do that! :)
Briton says
I always love reading about other people’s skin care routines, too :) I have never tried a Vitamin C serum but now I’m intrigued! I love making DIY beauty products so I’ll be adding this to my list!
everydayeyecandy says
This sounds great. I’ve never tried a serum before. I love reading about other people’s routines for skin care, it gives such great ideas. I’ll be adding this to my list to try