- a reduction in dark spots and fine lines,
- increased brightness, overall smoothness,
- and even marked improvements for skin conditions like psoriasis.
If you've been with us a while, you'll know I (Steve) am a little skeptical with skincare claims, but Vitamin C serums with 10 - 20% L-Ascorbic acid seem to be a pretty safe bet in gaining the above mentioned benefits and in some cases this:
But here's the thing. In my own use, I've noticed that I have be really careful to ensure it doesn't go bad (like storing it in the fridge before use).
You'll know that it goes bad when it turns dark brown.
To offset the volatility, we've added Vitamin E (Tocopherol is the chemical name) & store it in black - opaque - bottles, but we're also considering the addition of ferulic acid, which is supposed to be the gold standard in preservation.
But Ferulic acid SMELLS BAD. Like hotdog water. And we don't think it's a good idea to add fragrances to 'mask' the odor.
So here's my question to you:
Has your etee serum gone bad and if so, how quickly? NOTE: it's fine if it turns yellow to orange, but once it gets dark orange or brown, that means it's not effective.
Would you be willing to accept a hotdog water smell if it meant the serum lasted longer and absorbed better?
Let me know in the comments below...
And CLICK HERE if you'd like to learn more about our 15% V-C Serum.
Comments
Really appreciate this info. I was loving my first bottle. My rosacea cleared up completely. Then I noticed the oxidation/ change so I stopped using it… half of the bottle still remaining. So that was frustrating.
I want to reorder and now I feel even more confident. Grateful!!
My recommendation is to use smaller bottles-dark glass for sure-even though that increases “packaging” etc… I’m assuming product stability must be relative to the first open – as well as best use date.
I’m a pharm tech and I compound so I think about this a lot. Also, I use to run a marketing firm.
Clean ingredients without weird smells is my preference. Needing to reorder more often for max freshness is actually a bonus in my mind.
If the shelf stability is sufficient for the same quantity in smaller bottles, that’s almost no compromise at all — but it would / should understandably cost a little more.
Like fresh food – I don’t buy in bulk.
If there’s a smaller glass vial the dropper might even be unnecessary???
I am on my second bottle. I use it once a day or every other day and have not had it go bad. I think I would prefer the dark bottle and vitamin E and pass on the stinky preservative.
Stay with Vit E and the black glass.
If it stinks, I would look for another product! Sorry!
I vote for the dark bottles. Its shelf life is pretty good.
I’ve been using the same serum bottle over a couple months and have had no issue with the L-Absorbic acid changing to dark orange or brown. I think the opaque bottle is the way to go!
My serum has gone dark orange/ brown, so I guess it’s “bad” :( but it’s almost done. I’m okay with black bottles and Vit E, but would be completely open to trying the ferulic acid option if it meant that it lasted longer! ‘Cause now I’ve got stuff I paid good money for, that isn’t doing any good!
Don’t change it. I probably wouldn’t use it if it smelled bad.
Don’t change it. I probably wouldn’t use it if it smelled bad.
I think I would have trouble with the smell. How significantly would it adjust the product timeline?