Review: Geek and Gorgeous 101 C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum

Where to purchase: From the Geek & Gorgeous Website HERE

Note: Made fresh on order, every week (orders with C-Glow might get shipped a few days late).

Price: £9.55

Volume: 30ml

What is it?: This is Basically a dupe of the Skinceuticals Vitamin C as this contains 15% L-AA, Vitamin E (a good co-antioxidant) and Ferulic Acid.

Description: ”A super-light, water-like 15% Vitamin C + extra antioxidants (Ferulic Acid & smaller amount of Vitamin E) formula to give the skin environmental protection, boost collagen and even the skin tone.” – (from the Geek & Gorgeous website). This serum is to give the skin a glow and firm it.

It’s interesting – that for legal reasons, there can’t be a lot of vitamin E in here…I’m guessing it may have to do something with this company?

Good for: G&G do not recommend this for redness-prone or sensitive skin because it has a low pH and high pure acid content. If you like light-textured formulas, you would like this.

I think those living in hot and humid countries would enjoy how fast this absorbs.

Tackles: Dark spots, aging, dull and uneven skin

pH: 3.2-3.4

Note: Cruelty-free | Vegan | Fragrance & Essential oil free

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Directions: ”Apply a few drops to the face after cleansing, before using other serums and/or creams. Ideal to use in the AM but can be applied PM as well. As the C-Glow formula is water-like, we recommend that you put a drop directly onto your face and quickly pat it on with your other hand.” – from the G&G website. They even state that the product comes with a couple of months shelf-life (which is why I wish they would upgrade the packaging to try and extent this shelf-life.

[I’m wondering if perhaps the lower level of Vitamin E in here is another reason why this doesn’t last as long as the skinceuticals.]

They recommend to keep this in the fridge which should keep the product fresh for at least 3 months. And if unopened, it keeps for a couple more months. And it keeps for About 6 weeks at room temperature – I can attest to that as mine has already become yellow and I’ve been using mine (not in the fridge) for about a month.

How I use it: I use this in the AM right under my SPF, or I use it in the PM after using my Argireline Solution and right before my moisturiser. I make sure this dries down fully before moving on. They recommend to drip this onto your face directly, but I’m nervous about doing that with a product that’s acidic and I don’t want to get this accidentally near my eyes.

Key Ingredients: 15% Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – antioxidant, fades hyperpigmentation and boosts collagen production. gives a glow to the skin.

Ferulic acid + Vitamin E – antioxidants that help stabilise vitamin C to increase its antioxidant potential. ”The formula contains high amount of Ferulic Acid, but only a small amount of Vitamin E due to both formulary as well as legal reasons.” – from the G&G website.

Ethoxydiglycol: This is a solvent to enable vitamin C’s penetration into the skin. it also helps solubilise ferulic acid into the formulation.

Full Ingredients: Water, (L-)Ascorbic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide

NOTE: Skincharisma have a full ingredient list breakdown HERE

And the Incidecoder HERE

Texture: fast absorbing, water-like, weightless liquid. This feels exactly like the Timeless C E Ferulic Serum (Review HERE) it’s got that water-like texture, which I really appreciate in a serum because it spreads far and dries down quick. The only thing is it’s so light that it can be MESSY i.e it can run down my hand or drip before I get it on my face. So perhaps a texture where this was more like an emulsion may have helped ‘handle’ the product and get it on my face adequately.

This fast absorbs into the skin which I love as it means I can get onto my next step of my routine ASAP. I think those living in hot and humid countries would appreciate this.

NOTE: I can tell when I’ve over-applied this product (i.e. I’ve used too much) because this does then form a sort of layer on top of the skin (because it’s over-saturated). It does still sit fine under and on top of products even if over-applied, but you can feel a slight tackiness to the skin. So I would say don’t go overboard when applying this to the skin if you don’t want a feeling of this product sitting on the skin.

[Youtube Video – My evening routine – Including Swatches!]

Fragrance?: No added fragrance or EO – but this simply smells like Vitamin C – it has that potent vitamin C smell.

How long have I been using this?: For about a month (it’s my fault I didn’t keep this in the fridge otherwise it wouldn’t have turned yellow so quickly).

The Effect?: Brightened skin and skin that is protected (so not really visible results, but we know that L-AA does a good job as an antioxidant and so does Ferulic + Vitamin E in this mix. I do think that this has helped give my skin a bit of a glow and make it look smoother.

What I like:

• No added fragrance or EO
• Fast Absoribing
• Lightweight/watery – so I don’t feel like this is clogging my pores / making me sweat
• Great % of LAA
• Good combo of LAA with Vitamin E and Ferulic acid (antioxidant powerhouse)
• No unnecessary ingredients
• Reasonable price (so I don’t feel too wasteful slathering this on)
• It actually doesn’t sting or irritate my skin, only when my barrier is compromised (as would all acids irritate). So I’m not too scared or weary applying this on my face on regular skin days.
• Layers well over and under products

What I don’t like:

• Can be irritating if one’s skin barrier is compromised (due to the low pH)
• Sort of feel rushed to use quick since this goes off fast
• It is inconvenient having to put this in the fridge.
• Wish the packaging was more airtight to slow down the oxidation process (and then I maybe wouldn’t have to put it in the fridge, or be in a rush to)
• Because its so lightweight and watery, this can be difficult/messy to handle as sometimes this runs down my fingers before it can get to my face – and I think if this was in pump packaging it may be easier to dispense such a lightweight formula without wasting product?

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – I think all this needs to improve is THE PACKAGING (and perhaps a slightly thicker texture just so it’s easier to handle) – I wish this came in the same sort of air-tight packaging like the drunk elephant C-Firma serum because I feel rushed to use this quickly and I probably use too much each use just so I can get through it before it fully oxidises (even as a product starts oxidising, the efficacy/potency also decreases) And I want to enjoy this product, I want to take my time with it BECAUSE I LIKE IT! it’s a nice feel and texture!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! It’s hard to find a potent vitamin C serum containing Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid that does not cost a fortune and isn’t so uncomfortable on the skin AND layers fine over and on top of products AND has no essential oils / fragrance.

Dupe?: The Timeless C E Ferulic is the closest thing to this that I’ve tried in terms of texture and feel. But the Timeless has a higher % which does not necessarily mean that it’s better (and of course I would not recommend to sensitive skins)

Timeless C E Ferulic Review HERE

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Review 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.