Where to purchase: From Typology HERE
Price: ££11.80 / 19.80
Volume: 15ml / 30ml
Made in: France
[Vegan]
pH: 7 – 7.40 pH
What is it?: A Vitamin C serum that aims to brighten the skin.
Description: ”Concentrated in active ingredients to restore radiance to dull and tired skin.”
Good for: All skin types – I would agree as this is hydrating and not too thick or heavy, and because this is a vitamin c derivative, the pH of the serum is not acidic so this shouldn’t sting or irritate the skin.
Packaging: Glass bottle with a tiny dropper (that actually dispenses a good amount of product despite its size)
Directions: ”Apply 3 to 4 drops of your vitamin C serum onto clean and dry skin each morning and evening. Gently massage the face and neck in circular motions. Then, follow up with your hydrating cream. For optimal results, we recommend using the Vitamin C Serum consistently for at least four weeks.” (From the Typology Website)
Note: ”This serum naturally yellows over time. This effect doesn’t alter the effectiveness of the product.” (From the Typology website)
How I use it: I apply this in the PM everyday (as this isn’t pure vitamin C and doesn’t have an acidic pH, it’s been ok for me to use everyday), after toning and after using the Niod CAIS2 (Review HERE). I leave my face for a few minutes, let the serum sink in (it takes a second to dry down as it’s moderately thick, like a serum from the Ordinary).
Key Ingredients: Typology claim this contains ‘Vitamin C at 11%‘ but when you check the ingredients list, this is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (read about HERE) – This is a derivative and not pure Ascorbic Acid. So do not expect the same effect as a pure vitamin C serum. HOWEVER Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is seen to be a good skin brightener, so this should help with uneven skin tone.
Albizia Julibrissin Extract (3%): A plant native to Asia – apparently this helps brighten the skin too? On the Incidecoder, this is said to be skin conditioning (HERE)
Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide
I’m not happy with the addition of Alcohol – I understand it is used to keep formulas lightweight and sometimes help with penetration of the product into the skin, but I don’t like the idea of alcohol in actives. I do like Glycerin in it – hydrating.
NOTE: The Incidecoder have an ingredient list breakdown HERE
Texture: ‘Aqueous gel texture’ is how Typology describe it and I would agree! It spreads far along the skin as it’s a gel-like texture. It feels water-based and takes a few minutes to dry down fully. It does feel like this product forms a layer over the skin once it dries down (which should help prevent trans-epidermal water loss), and this does layer fine under and on top of products.
I will say! Once this dries down, if I do itch my face, it will ball/pill up, so I need to leave this product on my face and not touch it.
Youtube Video: Live Swatching Typology products
Fragrance?: No added fragrance or EO 🙂
Good Under Makeup?: have not tried as I only use it in the PM.
How long have I been using this?: This is the smaller 15ml bottle so I’ve been able to finish it in a month (due to using it every evening).
The Effect?: Immediate effect – it does help hydrate the skin. It dries down remarkably quick and forms that sort of layer that the Ordinary’s HA or Hada Labo Regular Gokujun lotion does. I’m sure it has helped with keeping the skin looking fresh.
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What I like:
- Hydrating
- Easily spreadable (a texture that is quite thick so it can spread far without tugging at the skin)
- The dropper I thought would be difficult to use since it’s so small, but it picks up an adequate amount of product
- No fragrance / EO
- It’s a nice, thick serum/gel-texture without being difficult to layer.
- Higher pH so not so irritating/stingy on broken or sensitised skin.
What I don’t like:
- This is a derivative (salt form of vitamin C), the reason why this is less irritating is because the pH is much higher than what L-AA usually sits in a serum. I do think this means that this isn’t going to be as effective as vitamin C in terms of skin brightening or behaving like an antioxidant.
- Not a fan of alcohol in here (albeit it is close down to the list).
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.6/5 – This is a decent derivative vitamin C serum and it is absolutely hydrating without the product completely disappearing into the skin i.e you don’t require so many layers underneath or on top of the product in order to keep your skin moisturised and hydrated. Not a fan of the addition of alcohol either. I am happy that this doesn’t contain essential oils or added fragrance too and I suffered no irritation or stinging.
Would I purchase?: I find this hydrating and cooling and if I wanted a derivative serum I would repurchase (however the alcohol does put me off a bit, but as it’s quite low down the list I am willing to repurchase as it’s quite hydrating this serum.
Other Derivative Dupes? I have not tried it yet, but the Hylamide Vitamin C Serum seems like it could be a good dupe (also a Vitamin C derivative): HERE
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
My Skincare Regime 