The Timeless Vitamin C Serum, as well as several of their other serums, is a huge favorite of skincare gurus as well as online skincare communities. But does it really live up to the hype? Today, we’re looking into the range and focusing on their vitamin C serum to see what the formula is like and what users are saying about the brand’s products in this Timeless Vitamin C Serum review.
Behind the Brand
Timeless Skin Care is most notable for its popularity on Amazon, but you can also purchase this serum and others through their website. They are active focused, so their serums typically highlight one or two important active ingredients. The range features serums that contain coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, matrixyl, vitamin B5 and of course, vitamin C. All of their products feature minimal ingredients and are completely paraben free.
Vitamin C Serum
This vitamin C serum from Timeless is widely known as a dupe for a much more expensive alternative. The Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum was the original serum to release this unique combination of ingredients, which is said to boost the effects of the Vitamin C considerably. While Skinceuticals does have a patent on this specific formula, Timeless, as well as other companies have more recently come out with products that feature similar ingredients in slightly different ratios while still producing a similar overall effect.
In order to get the most out of this serum, you can apply in the morning and in the evening. That being said, if you’d only like to use it once a day, we’d recommend you stick to morning application, as this combination of ingredients can actually boost the efficacy of your sunscreen.
Inside the Ingredients
As we mentioned, the hero ingredients in this serum is a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. When it comes to vitamin C serums, this is one of the most potent formulas on the market for a number of reasons.
Ascorbic Acid
The Timeless 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic Acid Serum contains 20% pure ascorbic acid. This is the most effective form of vitamin C in skincare, but it’s difficult to find a non-irritating formula. There are a few drawbacks to pure vitamin C to be aware of before you start incorporating a vitamin C into your skincare routine. First and foremost, the formula that surrounds any ascorbic acid-based serum is extremely important. Vitamin C is a water soluble active and oxidizes very quickly, so building a formula that extends its shelf life and efficacy is crucial. Some ascorbic acid-based vitamin C serums are suspended in silicones to prevent this, and there are other brands that offer pure vitamin C powder in order to prevent oxidation. The only problem with these two options is that irritation is more likely to occur. So the formula behind Timeless remains a water based formula in order to limit the amount of irritation.
Now that we’ve covered the cons, let’s get to the pros. Ascorbic acid is by far the most effective vitamin C skincare option, and has the most research behind it. Several vitamin C esters have some research behind them, but there is currently no research that demonstrate that any of these esters do everything that pure ascorbic acid does for your skin. This includes brightening, evening out skin tone, smoothing and soothing the skin, preventing premature aging, fighting free radicals, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fading acne scars, the list goes on and on.
Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid
To get the most out of vitamin C, the Timeless Vitamin C Serum has incorporated Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid into the formula, which is why it’s widely considered a dupe for more expensive Vitamin C serums on the market. These two actives work together to boost the efficacy of vitamin C up to five times that of vitamin C alone. Additionally, vitamin C and ferulic acid help to stabilize temperamental ascorbic acid. Even though these two ingredients do help to stabilize this vitamin c serum, it will still oxidize at around 3-5 months after opening, so use it frequently to get the most out of this serum before it goes off.
Review Recap
This product has over a thousand reviews on Amazon and is currently rated a 3.9 out of 5 stars. Most reviews noticed a positive impact in the appearance of their skin, including fading hyperpigmentation, acne scars and an overall increase in radiance and clarity. With that said, there are a few things to take note of. When vitamin C oxidizes, it turns orange or brown in color. Some reviewers found that upon arrival, the serum had already oxidized and was essentially, useless. While this is a rare occurrence, it is something to take note of when ordering. The serum upon arrival should be slightly cloudy and clear in color.
Ascorbic acid is definitely an active ingredient that you should have in your skincare routine due to its numerous benefits. What is your favorite vitamin C product? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Related: Best Vitamin C Serums