What I liked about this Serum is my skin felt moisturised. I liked that it had a stable form of vitamin C and it felt like I was protecting my skin from environmental damage. I thought that it was great that it contained peptides and AHAs to brighten the complexion. I noticed that my skin looked more radiant when using this Serum.
Why I give it four stars and not five is that it did make my skin feel oiler and definitely made it shiny. This happened no matter what moisturiser I put on top. Therefore I would only recommend this Serum if you have dry skin or are after an extremely dewy look, as even this serum's consistency is closer to an oil then a Serum.
I love vitamin C. I love the concept of it, and the theory of how it should work. Vitamin C seems to be the perfect all-rounder: it is a powerful antioxidant, also known for its ability to improve uneven skin tone by breaking down existing pigmentation and preventing new ones from forming. Yet, I have been struggling to get vitamin C to perform on my skin at a level that others have claimed. I always see more radiant skin, but I had never seen any fading of my pigmentation... until I discovered Dermalogica Biolumin-C.
At first I was a little skeptical about Dermalogica Biolumin-C. In the past, I have always used L-ascorbic acid - the most potent form of vitamin C available. Yet, the "C" in Biolumin-c is a combination of two vitamin C-derivatives:
- Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate
- Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphates
Both are stable forms of vitamin C. Stable derivatives generally mean less ready to react - hence, less potent. However, Dermalogica claimed that these derivatives have good skin penetration.
What I like about this serum is the extensiveness of the ingredients included. Apart from vitamin C, it contains (to name a few) lactic acid, a chemical exfoliant and skin polisher, chia see extract, a source of omega fatty acids and antioxidant, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, shown to stimulate collagen synthesis in in vitro studies, sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, skin humectants.
Because Biolumin-C is stable, the storage and application is really easy. Twice a day I apply 2-3 drops of serum on my face after cleansing and misting my skin with a toner. Biolumin-C has the perfect texture for me, with some viscosity but not thick. The serum is absorbed within seconds, and it works well with any other products that I choose to layer on top. Unlike L-ascorbic acid which only works at low pH, Biolumin-C has less pH restrictions, so I do not have to worry about other products changing the optimal working environment of Biolumin-C. In addition, cold storage is not necessary.
It wasn't until the last week or so before I finished the whole bottle, I noticed real results. I am glad that I persisted. My pigmentation spots actually faded, especially those ones which were more intense. Before I started using Biolumin-c, I had two new pigmentation spots starting to develop at the same time - one on my forehead and one on my eye lid. They were about the same intensity a few months ago. Towards the end of the bottle, I noticed that the spot on my eyelid was a lot darker compared to the one on my forehead - and I had not been applying Biolumin-C on the eyelid at all. I truly believe that the serum has helped lighten, or at least slowed down the darkening of, my pigment spot on the forehead.
I did not notice a significant increase in glow or radiance in my skin while using the serum, though I am overall happy with the condition of my skin including texture and firmness. Personally, I would use an additional hydrating serum to boost my skin hydration level in winter, while using Biolumin-C to target my pigmentation.
I received a deluxe sample of this in my AdoreBeauty haul a few weeks ago and I am in love.
This may sound hard to believe but I noticed a difference in the appearance of my sking the morning after using this product. I dont have fine lines to report but my skin can look dull and limp at times. There isnt much of a scent and the dropper gives you an even dose each time.
I noticed my skin became radiant and plump especially in the cheek area. After a few uses of the product, I could see the upkeep and maintenance of the product continued to work.
Its easy to use and well worth the value. I will be buying this in the near fuure.