We’ll C You Glow with this DIY face serum

Nobody puts this serum in a corner 

Serums are often looked over or omitted in beauty routines, and yet they can be ridiculously effective in addressing specific needs. Our latest serum recipe is no exception. Rich in active ingredients and antioxidants, C You Glow specifically targets your skin’s winter needs, bringing a boost to dry and dull complexions. It’s so powerful that it’s best to use it at night—for day use, you’ll need to apply a cream with sun protection. We’re not kidding! The key ingredient, vitamin C, is both brightening and photosensitizing.

This recipe is based on a winning combination of ingredients. In addition to the radiance added by vitamin C, rosehip oil leaves your skin healthy and toned, witch hazel hydrosol evens out and refines your complexion, and jojoba oil restores your skin’s natural softness. Last but not least, the texture of this serum is at once creamy and light, so it will be quickly absorbed by your skin.
End result: your complexion will be visibly more radiant and even. We can’t wait to C You Glow! 

How to make vitamin C serum 

Ingredients

Phase A

• 35 g (70%) witch hazel hydrosol
• 5 g (10%) vegetable glycerin
• 0.5 g (1%) guar gum

Phase B

• 1 g (2%) Olivem 1000
• 2.5 g (5%) rosehip oil
• 2 g (4%) jojoba oil

Phase C

• 1 g (2%) vitamin C
• 1 g (2%) vitamin E
• 1 g (2%) grapefruit seed extract
• 1 g (2%) elderberry extract

Tools

• Two small stainless steel bowls
• Components to make two double boilers
• Basin filled with water (to make a cold-water bath)
• Small silicone spatula
• Scale, accurate to 0.1 g
• A few pipettes
• Two ramekins
• Mini-mixer with frothing attachment (the small wheel)
• Thermometer
• Bottle with dropper lid (50 ml)

Good to know!

• We formulated this recipe to include vitamin C, which is a water-soluble ingredient—meaning it dissolves in water, not oil. To make sure the vitamin C remains stable in suspension in your serum, we advise against changing the ingredients. 
• Thanks to its astringent and purifying properties, witch hazel hydrosol is perfect for people with enlarged pores. It will leave your skin looking more even, with a finer texture. It also has soothing properties that make it perfect for dry skin. 
• Guar gum is a stabilizing and thickening agent that forms an aqueous gel with the witch hazel hydrosol. We advise against replacing it with another gum, as this may affect the texture or stability of the emulsion.
• Olivem 1000 is a choice emulsifier for creating creams and lotions that will absorb quickly and have a lovely texture. It’s smooth to the touch and provides your skin with long-lasting hydration.
• Rosehip oil is rich in fatty acids, providing everything your skin needs for healthy, deeply nourished skin. It’s particularly kind to dry, sensitive complexions; thanks to its revitalizing properties, it gently tones and softens your skin.
• Jojoba oil protects your skin from dehydration and softens it. 
• Vitamin C evens out your complexion, gives it a healthy glow, and is an antioxidant.
• Vitamin E protects the oil phase from gong rancid and is also revitalizing.
• Grapefruit seed extract is rich in vitamin C. It works in combination with the elderberry extract to help the product last longer.

Steps to follow

1. Prepare and disinfect your equipment and workspace.
2. In the first bowl, weigh the witch hazel hydrosol. Heat on the first double boiler until it reaches 70 to 80°C. 
3. In the second bowl, weigh the rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and Olivem 1000. Heat it on the second double boiler until the Olivem has completely melted and the mixture reaches 70 to 80°C. 
4. Weigh the vitamin C in a ramekin. Set aside. 
5. Weigh the glycerin and guar gum in a second ramekin. Mix to combine.
6. When the aqueous and oil phases have both reached 70 to 80°C, remove them from the heat. 
7. Add the glycerin and guar gum mixture to the aqueous phase. Mix with the mini-mixer until homogeneous.
8. Pour the oil phase into the aqueous phase. Using the mini-mixer, mix until homogeneous.
9. Place the bowl in a cold-water bath. Continue mixing until the temperature of the emulsion is around 45°C. 
10. Add the vitamin C. Mix using the small spatula.
11. Add the vitamin E, elderberry extract, and grapefruit seed extract. Mix using the small spatula. 
12. Transfer the emulsion into the dropper bottle. Your DIY face serum is ready!

Use and conservation

Specially formulated for dry, dull skin, this homemade serum recipe will benefit all skin types.  

You can apply it morning and evening to cleansed skin. Use only a few drops, heating the serum up slightly in the palm of your hand prior to applying to maximize its benefits. Apply your serum to your face, tapping your skin with your fingertips and pressing against it with the palms of your hands to help the product absorb more quickly.

At night, simply continue with your usual skincare routine. In the morning or during the day, be sure to apply sunscreen after applying this serum to protect your skin from the sun and to best benefit from your serum. Vitamin C is photosensitizing, so it’s important to protect your skin from the sun after applying a product containing it.

When made in optimal sanitary conditions, the recipe will keep for at least three months.