What does vitamin C serum look like when it is oxidized?

When in the vitamin C is in high concentration, the serum will have a yellowish color; but as it oxidizes, it will turn brown/orange. Cosmetic vitamin C preparations that have discolored should be discarded as they have already oxidized and cannot provide skin benefits.

How do I know if my vitamin C serum is oxidized?

If the vitamin C serum is yellow, it was most likely manufactured over 6 months ago with proper storage. A serum that is dark brown in color indicates the vitamin C serum has oxidized and will not be as effective and should be discarded.

What happens if vitamin C serum oxidized?

Oxidised vitamin C is no longer a powerful antioxidant resulting in free radicals, environmental and daily aggressors which leads to the skin vulnerable to damage with premature signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles becoming very prominent and more noticeable.

Can I use vitamin C serum if it turns yellow?

You don't have to toss a serum if it's only slightly yellow but if it's tipping into orange, it's time to bin it. A dark orange would mean that your Vitamin C has over-oxidised and has lost a huge percentage of its efficacy.

Can you use vitamin C that has oxidized?

Yes, you can, but only if it has turned slightly yellow. This is usually a sign of the oxidisation has started, but the formula is still potent enough to deliver its benefits to the skin.

When Skincare Goes Bad - How To Know When Your Vitamin C Has Oxidized

How do I stop my vitamin C serum from oxidizing?

Store it in a cool, dark, dry place to prevent your serum from oxidising. Avoid sunlight exposure at all costs, and keep the lid completely sealed. If you're super worried about being careless, keep the serum in your refrigerator instead — it's probably for the best.

How long does it take for vitamin C serum to oxidize?

After contact with light, heat and air, vitamin C eventually oxidizes and loses its potency. You'll know it when your serum changes colour, turning brown. (With L-ascorbic acid, this usually takes about three months after opening the bottle.)

Is it OK to take discolored vitamin C?

Over the course of the shelf-life of a vitamin C supplement, oxidation can cause a slight change in color, so you may find the C-1000 you bought has changed to a darker color six months later. This is a normal occurrence, and the product is safe to use at least until the “Best By” date, and often beyond.

Should vitamin C serum be refrigerated?

Steps you can take to look after your Vitamin C include: Storing it in a cool, dark space, such as the fridge, which can help shelter it from oxidation.

Is vitamin C serum still good if it turns brown?

When a vitamin C serum turns brown, it means it has oxidized, and thus, has lost its efficacy. If this happens to your vitamin C serum, it's time to toss it and find another, stable formula to use.

What color is oxidized vitamin C serum?

When in the vitamin C is in high concentration, the serum will have a yellowish color; but as it oxidizes, it will turn brown/orange. Cosmetic vitamin C preparations that have discolored should be discarded as they have already oxidized and cannot provide skin benefits.

What should vitamin C serum look like?

The first thing to know is that when present in something like a serum, it should be colorless—and it should be stored in a dark place in a dark bottle. “When it's exposed to light, it becomes unstable,” she explains, which you can actually see take place because the product will turn yellow.

What happens if you use old vitamin C serum?

Notice any scent or texture changes

These may come alongside colour changes too and are also signs of oxidisation. It is unlikely that an oxidised or expired vitamin C serum will cause harm to your skin, so don't stress if you're reading this and only just realising your serum may not be in its best shape.

What does expired vitamin C serum look like?

A classic telltale sign of expired or oxidised Vitamin C is a change in colour. If you've spied that your once clear or light yellow serum is now looking a little deeper, or has changed shades entirely, you can take this as a pretty clear indication that your product has oxidised.

When should I throw out vitamin C serum?

Although your Vitamin C serum will lose its efficacy once oxidized, the product does not become harmful to the skin until it's expiration date, approximately one year after manufacturing. For best results, we recommend using your Vitamin C serum within 3 to 6 month of purchase, when it is fresh and most effective.

How long should you let vitamin C serum absorb before moisturizer?

Vitamin C serum (leave to absorb for 1-2 minutes)

Dr Khan explains: “With vitamin C, you want to get the most out of the product by not diluting it. A couple of minutes should be an adequate time for the product to dry down before you go in with your next step.”

How long can I use vitamin C serum after opening?

“Storing a vitamin C serum correctly is integral to its success,” Schlessinger says. “A good rule of thumb is to toss the serum six months after it's been opened and to keep the serum in a cool, dark place.” If you're using it according to the instructions, it'll likely be gone before the six months is up.

What causes vitamin C to oxidize?

Ascorbic acid oxidises in products, especially when it's in the presence of water, as well as on your skin. Oxygen and light exposure will also speed up the oxidation reaction. The first step in the oxidation process is when the ascorbic acid is converted to dehydroascorbic acid.

What color should a vitamin C serum be?

When in the vitamin C is in high concentration, the serum will have a yellowish color, but as it oxidizes, it will turn brown/orange. Cosmetic vitamin C preparations that have discolored should be discarded as they have already oxidized and cannot provide skin benefits.

What is the shelf life of vitamin C serum?

Although your Vitamin C serum will lose its efficacy once oxidized, the product does not become harmful to the skin until it's expiration date, approximately one year after manufacturing. For best results, we recommend using your Vitamin C serum within 3 to 6 month of purchase, when it is fresh and most effective.

How do I know if my vitamin C serum is too strong?

A tell-tale sign of vitamin C overuse is increased blackheads or the development of blackheads. General skin irritation and breakouts can also occur if you use your vitamin C serum too often. We recommend using your serum 1-2 times a day and 2-4 drops at a time. This is all that is needed!

How do you know vitamin C is working?

However, the best way to know, according to Dr Kiran, is to notice the difference in your skin. “If you use the serum for a month and find your skin to be bright, clear, less sensitive to the sun, and you are feeling fresher, then vitamin C is definitely working,” she said.

What should you not do with vitamin C serum?

Because vitamin C is an acid, you shouldn't combine it with other skin-care acids such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like salicylic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like lactic and glycolic acids. “Mixing with other acids at the same time can change the vitamin C's pH and render it useless,” Dr.

Should I throw away my vitamin C serum?

A pure and potent vitamin C serum will be clear. The moment you start to notice your serum tinging towards a translucent brown or orange shade, it's time to toss. This means the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has oxidized, and no longer holds its antioxidant powers.

How do you know if a serum is expired?

If you're unsure how old something is, the general rule is to toss anything that has significantly changed in color or odor, or separated, clumped, thickened or thinned, says cosmetic chemist Mort Westman. All are signs that the product has gone bad.