Applying vitamin C to the skin helps in healing and reduces the signs of aging. Vitamin C can also prevent water shortages in skin cells and improve skin softness and elasticity. In addition, vitamin C can reduce skin redness and inflammation, and even protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. You can make your own vitamin C serum with a few ingredients and equipment.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Basic Vitamin C Serum
Step 1. Gather the required materials
You can get anything you need to make a basic vitamin C serum from a health food store or supermarket. To make a basic vitamin C serum, gather the following ingredients and supplies:
- 1/2 teaspoon vitamin C powder
- 1 tablespoon hot distilled water (not boiling water)
- 1 tablespoon and 1 small teaspoon
- Small glass bowl
- Plastic shaker
- small funnel
- Brown or dark blue glass bottle
Step 2. Add vitamin C powder to hot water
Pour a tablespoon of hot water into a bowl. After that, measure out teaspoon of vitamin C powder and add it to the hot water. Stir the ingredients until evenly mixed.
Step 3. Transfer the basic vitamin C serum to a brown or dark blue glass bottle
Place the funnel in the mouth of the bottle and pour the serum into the funnel to prevent spillage. Close the bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to (maximum) 2 weeks.
- The cold, dark environment of the refrigerator helps maintain the freshness and power of the serum.
- You can make a new serum every two weeks or as needed.
Method 2 of 3: Making a Moisturizing Vitamin C Serum
Step 1. Gather the required materials
You can get all the ingredients needed to make a moisturizing vitamin C serum from a health food store or supermarket. To make a vitamin C serum, you will need:
- 1/2 teaspoon vitamin C powder
- 1 tablespoon hot distilled water (not boiling water)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerol OR non-comedogenic oil. Non-comedogenic oils (eg flaxseed oil, argan oil, sunflower oil, or calendula oil) will not clog pores.
- 1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 5-6 drops of any essential oil of your choice, such as rose, lavender, frankincense, or geranium oil
- Measuring spoon
- Bowl for mixing ingredients
- Mixer (eg fork or small whisk)
- Small funnel for transferring serum to glass bottles
- Dark glass bottle for storing serum
Step 2. Mix vitamin C powder and water
Dissolve teaspoon of vitamin C powder in 1 tablespoon of hot water. Put 1 tablespoon of hot water in a bowl, then add teaspoon of vitamin C powder. Mix the water and vitamin C powder with a fork or whisk.
Step 3. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerol or oil
Add vegetable glycerol or non-comedogenic oil to the water and vitamin C powder mixture. Vegetable glycerol and non-comedogenic oils make good base ingredients for vitamin C serums, but some people prefer to use oils because they have a texture similar to skin sebum. Sebum acts as a protective layer for the skin.
Step 4. Add teaspoon of vitamin E oil
Vitamin E acts as an emollient that can smooth the skin. This ingredient is optional, but can be a useful addition if you want to make a moisturizing serum.
Step 5. Add 5-6 drops of essential oil
The addition of essential oils is optional, but can provide a sweet aroma and enrich the serum content. If you don't want to add essential oils, move on to the next step.
Step 6. Mix the ingredients
Use a whisk or fork to mix the oil with the vitamin C powder mixture and water. Mix all ingredients until evenly distributed. Keep in mind that the oil will separate from the water over time so you will need to shake the serum before using it.
Step 7. Use a funnel to transfer the serum to a glass vial
Prepare a funnel to put the serum into the bottle. You may also need to use a spatula to scoop out the remaining serum from the bowl and scoop it into the funnel. Put the cap on the bottle after all the serum has been removed.
Method 3 of 3: Storing and Using Vitamin C Serum
Step 1. Store vitamin C serum
While a basic vitamin C serum can last up to two weeks, make a new moisturizing serum mix every three days. To make the serum last longer, store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Although serum is protected from light when stored in a dark glass bottle, you can also cover the bottle with foil so that no light hits the serum at all
Step 2. Test the serum on a small area of skin first
Before using the serum for the first time, test this mixture on a small area of skin first. Make sure the serum is not too acidic. Apply a small amount of serum on the inside of your wrist and wait a few hours to see if there is a reaction on your skin.
- Do not use the serum if the skin appears red or develops a rash afterward.
- If the skin feels sore or stinging, add a little water to the serum to reduce the acidity of the mixture.
Step 3. Apply the serum on the skin twice a day
Use the serum twice a day after washing your face and moisturize it. If you use oil when making your serum, the mixture can be used instead of your regular moisturizer.
