Save $$$, Make your own Vitamin C Serum

In an earlier blog, I discussed the benefits of Vitamin C. Some benefits discussed include; anti-aging & the prevention and correction of sun damage. Unfortunately, the expensive Vitamin C products are not always stable and effective.  When exposed to air, vitamin C undergoes oxidation and becomes not only ineffective but also potentially harmful (oxidized vitamin C may increase the formation of free radicals). So many of the Vitamin C products we buy, may be ineffective a week after opening or sometimes sooner. Another issue with Vitamin C products that are bought in department and drug stores are that they claim to give amazing results from the Vitamin C, but don't contain nearly enough quality Vitamin C to product results.

***The cheapest and most effective thing to do is make your own. Make batches weekly to ensure quality, and store DIY (do it yourself) product in a small dark amber, air-tight bottle to avoid oxidation.

Here are 2 great recipes I found on a website=)

Vitamin C Serum #1

This serum is quite flexible, but you need to make new batches regularly so it stays fresh and potent.

Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon l-ascorbic acid powder
• 3½ teaspoon distilled water (bottled water is fine, should be at room temperature)
• 1½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin or aloe vera gel
• 1 amber or dark blue glass bottle

Directions:

1.     Make sure your glass bottle is sterile by boiling it in some hot water. You can also sterilize it with some rubbing alcohol.

2.     Wait for the bottle to cool and dry completely.

3.     Add the l-ascorbic acid to the bottle.

4.     Add the distilled water.

5.     Swish around the bottle or use a stirrer until all the l-ascorbic acid is dissolved.

6.     Add the propylene glycol or glycerin or others. 

7.     Mix well (cap the bottle and keep shaking until everything is blended or use a stirrer) and use up as early as possible.  

Vitamin C serum #2
This vitamin C serum mixes vitamin C with ferulic acid and E. Ferulic acid stabilizes the vitamin C. 

Ingredients:

• 2 shot glasses
• 1 oz. cobalt or amber dropper or pump bottle
• 1 tsp L-Ascorbic Acid
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) Vitamin E (equals 1%)
• .5% of Ferulic Acid (1 good pinch)
• 2 tsp SKB (Sea Kelp Bioferment)
• 3 + 1/2 tsp of distilled water
• 1/2 tsp of vodka (vodka will dissolve the FA so it's not gritty, and it also keeps the ph low enough.) 

 Directions:

1.     In first shot glass, put 1 tsp C into the 3 + 1/2 tsp of distilled water. Put on the side, stirring occasionally till FULLY dissolved (This can be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, so have patience.)

2.     In 2nd shot glass put in 1/2 tsp vodka, and sprinkle the FA in and mix. When it has dissolved fully, add in the vitamin E + SKB and stir it all up well.

3.     When the LAA has fully dissolved in the 1st shot glass, mix the contents of both glasses together, stir very well, and carefully pour into your 1oz bottle.

4.     Keeping it in a cool, dry and dark place or the fridge will keep it potent and stable.