NOTE: This serum is now referred to as Medik-8 C-Tetra and is available in a barely completely different bottle. However the system inside is identical, so every thing nonetheless applies.
Assessment up to date on 29/04/2024.
What’s the very best Vitamin C by-product on the market?
Yeah, yeah, ideally we should always all use pure vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid). However that’s irritating as hell. Unstable AF. Goes unhealthy earlier than you attain half the bottle and stings your pores and skin like loopy.
Give me a by-product, pronto!
However, which one? There are greater than a dozen lately, all promising the identical advantages as pure vitamin C with out the unwanted effects. How are you aware which one actually delivers?
Personally, I’m keen on Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, the by-product utilized in Medik8 C-Tetra Serum. Right here’s why:
What’s In Medik8 C-Tetra Serum?
TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE TO BRIGHTEN SKIN
Let’s be trustworthy: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA) isn’t as highly effective as L-Ascorbic Acid. However it does two issues manner higher than it:
- Stability: It doesn’t oxidise (i.e. go unhealthy) as rapidly when uncovered to gentle and air (learn: you may truly end the bottle!).
- Penetration: Whereas L-Ascorbic Acid solely penetrates the dermis (uppermost layers of your pores and skin), TA penetrates each the dermis and the dermis (the deeper layer beneath it).
TA is so good at penetrating pores and skin as a result of it’s one of many few types of vitamin C that’s oil-soluble. And that right away catapults it to the highest of the vitamin-C-derivates-to-try listing.
However, what the heck does it do as soon as it penetrates pores and skin? Research say it:
- Brightens the complexion
- Fights the free radicals that trigger wrinkles
- Increase collagen manufacturing
The catch? These research are finished through the use of both excessive concentrations of TA (20%>) or by combining decrease doses (8%>) with L-Ascorbic Acid.
Medik8 C-Tetra ONLY makes use of 7% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.
Don’t get me incorrect. I’m not saying this focus is just too low to work (I did see an enchancment, as I’ll share in a while on this evaluate).
However at this focus, that is extra of a preventative serum for girls of their late 20s/early 30s. If you wish to fade darkish spots or scale back wrinkles, you’re nonetheless higher off with L-Ascorbic Acid.
Yet another factor: vitamin C works higher when used along with vitamin E and ferulic acid. This serum solely has vitamin E. Not a biggie. It’ll nonetheless do its job nicely. I simply wished to say it for individuals who are in search of all 3 antioxidants of their serum.
Associated: Why You Ought to Add Vitamin C Into Your Skincare Routine
JOJOBA OIL TO MOISTURISE SKIN
I do know what you’re pondering: “I’ve oily pores and skin so something with oil is out of the query.”
Usually, you’d be proper. However jojoba oil is likely one of the exceptions to the rule. Why?
Out of all of the oils, jojoba oil resembles sebum (your pores and skin’s pure moisturiser) extra carefully. This implies it’s light-weight sufficient to sink rapidly into your pores and skin and never worsen pimples.
Plus – and that is excellent news for ALL pores and skin varieties – jojoba oil is wealthy in fatty acids that moisturise pores and skin and enhance its moisture content material.
Translation: it moisturises pores and skin with out leaving a greasy, pimply mess behind.
Enjoyable reality: jojoba is pronounced “ho-ho-ba”.
Associated: What Are The Greatest Facial Oils For Oily Pores and skin?
GRAPEFRUIT PEEL OIL TO… IRRITATE SKIN?
I’ll be temporary. Grapefruit peel oil is right here solely to make the serum odor citrusy (as a result of how else do you anticipate vitamin C to odor like?!).
Drawback is, its aromatic parts could irritate delicate pores and skin. There’s solely a drop of it right here, although, so it’s unlikely to be problematic for some other pores and skin kind.
I’ve been utilizing it for weeks and I didn’t expertise any irritations. Regardless that I nonetheless want my skincare fragrance-free, I’ve to confess I like how this serum smells. 🙂
Associated: Is Perfume In Skincare As Unhealthy As Paula Begoun Says?
Struggling to place collectively a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents untimely growing old, and provides your complexion a youthful glow? Obtain your FREE “Greatest Anti-Growing older Skincare Routine” to get began (it options product suggestions + proper utility order):
The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Components
NOTE: The colors point out the effectiveness of an ingredient. It’s ILLEGAL to place poisonous and dangerous components in skincare merchandise.
- Inexperienced: It’s efficient, confirmed to work, and helps the product do the absolute best job in your pores and skin.
- Yellow: There’s not a lot proof it really works (a minimum of, but).
- Purple: What is that this doing right here?!
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A unstable silicone that creates a velvety texture that glides easily on the pores and skin – after which evaporates into skinny air.
- Cyclohexasiloxane: One other silicones that creates tender, clean texture that don’t really feel greasy or sticky. It evaporates rapidly after utility.
- Tocopheryl Acetate: A type of Vitamin E that fights free radicals and helps Vitamin C last more.
- PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer: It has fixative properties that maintain lively components suspended and helps make pores and skin softer and smoother.
- Limonene: A aromatic element of citrus fruits, it makes the product odor good. However it have to be listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a standard allergen.
- Citral: One other element of grapefruit oil that smells like lemon. It too have to be listed individually on the label as a result of it’s a standard allergen.
- Linalool: It has a spicy floral scent that makes the serum good. However it’s one other widespread allergen.
- Geraniol: One other aromatic ingredient that smells good, however can irritate delicate pores and skin.
Texture
Light-weight texture that sinks into the pores and skin actually rapidly. I swear you’d by no means say the bottom is an oil!
Perfume
Technically, it’s fragrance-free. Medik8 didn’t add any separate perfume to it. Perfume can irritate pores and skin, so it’s all the time good to depart it out. However then, you’ll have a product that does an incredible job at stopping wrinkles, however you don’t need to use it cos it smells like crap.
The workaround? Medik8 added grapefruit oil, a vital oil that offers the serum a subtly summery citrus scent. However, the aromatic parts that make this oil odor wonderful may also irritate delicate pores and skin.
How To Use It
I like to make use of Vitamin C within the morning beneath sunscreen to maximise solar safety. However it’s also possible to use it at night time earlier than moisturiser. The nearer to wash pores and skin you apply it, the better it penetrates pores and skin and the higher it really works.
Packaging
The brand new model is available in a darkish bottle with a dropper applicator for ease of use. Plus, it seems good in your vainness too.
Efficiency & Private Opinion
Inside every week of utilizing Medik8 C-Tetra Serum, I observed my pores and skin changing into brighter. My pores and skin has a stunning glow that makes it look wholesome.
I can’t see that I’ve seen any discount in positive strains, however then this serum is preventative. You employ it to stop wrinkles from creeping up in your face, not a lot to cut back these which are already there.
And the science there’s strong. Nutritional vitamins C&E can destroy free radicals earlier than they go away wrinkles in your face. So I’ve no complaints right here. I do know that my pores and skin is nicely protected all day lengthy.
How Does Medik8 C-Tetra Serum Evaluate To The Different Vitamin C Merchandise From Medik8?
Medik8 C-Tetra Serum isn’t the one Vitamin C product Medik8 makes. Right here’s a fast information to let you understand if that is the most suitable choice for you or should you’d be higher off with one in every of its siblings:
- Medik8 Each day Radiance Vitamin C™ (£59.00): A light-weight cream with Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to moisturise, brighten, and combat wrinkles on the similar time. It’s greatest for mixture pores and skin. Accessible at Cult Magnificence, Look Incredible, Medik8, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Medik8 Pure C15™ (£49.00): That is my fave serum as a result of it accommodates 15% L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure type of Vitamin C – and the best) and Vitamin E to stop wrinkles and brighten the complexion. It’s the best serum, however it could actually irritate delicate pores and skin and goes unhealthy rapidly. Accessible at Medik8.
- Medik8 R-Retinoate® Day & Night time (£149.00): It has a retinoid ester and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C by-product) to stop and deal with wrinkles. It’s a superb possibility for individuals with delicate pores and skin that may’t tolerate retinol and/or L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure type of Vitamin C). Accessible at Medik8, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Medik8 Tremendous C Ferulic™ (£69.00): It has 30% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a by-product of Vitamin C. I haven’t seen any unbiased proof it really works higher than L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure type of Vitamin C. However should you’re curious to strive it, it could actually assist forestall wrinkles. Accessible at Medik8, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Medik8 C-Tetra Cream (£50.00): A hydrating cream with 7% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. It’s greatest for mixture pores and skin. Accessible at Look Incredible, Medik8, and Sephora
- Medik8 C-Tetra Eye (£24.00): It’s the identical factor as Medik8 C-Tetra Serum, so save your self some cash and apply that on the attention space too.
- Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe (£59.00): It’s much like Medik8 C-Tetra, nevertheless it has twice the quantity of Vitamin C and an oilier base. If in case you have dry pores and skin, that is more practical and extra moisturising for you. Accessible at Medik8, Sephora, and SpaceNK
What I Like About Medik8 C-Tetra Serum
- Helps forestall wrinkles
- Helps brighten pores and skin
- Light-weight, fast-absorbing texture
- Doesn’t go unhealthy as quick as L-Ascorbic Acid
- Sensible packaging
What I DON’T Like About Medik8 C-Tetra Serum
- Perfume could irritate delicate pores and skin
- Not as efficient as 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid
Who Ought to Use This?
Anybody who desires to stop untimely growing old and may’t use L-Ascorbic Acid as a result of it irritates their pores and skin.
Does Medik8 C-Tetra Serum Reside Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Utilising the antioxidant energy of vitamin C and E, the hydrating serum brightens and smooths the complexion, whereas combating free radicals to cut back seen indicators of ageing. | True. |
| The system sinks into pores and skin rapidly, abandoning a tender and glowing complexion. | True. |
Worth & Availability
£39.00 at Cult Magnificence, Look Incredible, Medik8, Sephora, and SpaceNK
The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?
In case you’re in search of a mild Vitamin C serum that doesn’t go unhealthy inside just a few weeks, this can be a good possibility to contemplate.
Dupes & Alternate options
- Paula’s Selection Resist Tremendous Antioxidant Serum ($43.00): Like all Paula’s Selection merchandise, this serum is loaded with antioxidants, together with two kinds of Vitamin C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate + Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate) and the 2 mates that supercharge its anti-aging properties, vitamin E and ferulic acid. If in case you have delicate pores and skin, this is likely one of the greatest Vitamin C serums available on the market in your pores and skin kind. Accessible at Dermstore and Paula’s Selection.
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Energy Serum ($105.00): I do know that is costly. However it’s price it. The serum makes use of 20% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate + 3% vitamin E + 2% ferulic acid that can assist you decelerate growing old and stop wrinkles. It has one of many highest concentrations of those actives you’ll discover in skincare merchandise. Accessible at Blue Mercury, Nordstrom, and Ulta
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – day by day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that can assist you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create the very best skincare routine in your distinctive wants.
