Where to purchase: From the Deciem Website HERE
Price: £25
Volume: 30ml
What is it?: A Vitamin C Derivative (Not pure L-AA) Serum to help brighten the skin. Should be non-irritating.
Brand Description: 25% Ethylated Vitamin C booster helps improve the skin tone.
Supposedly Good for: DULLNESS / UNEVEN TONE / TEXTURAL IRREGULARITIES / FINE LINES
Which Skin Type?: Dry Skins (unless you like facial oils too) and also those who can’t handle pure L-AA or low pH products.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Glass Dropper Bottle
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Directions: ”Apply twice daily as adjunct skincare to offer radiance and visible evenness. Can be used as part of any skincare regimen before the application of moisturizers and/or makeup.” (From the Deciem Website)
How I use it: I applied this in the serum step (just after toning). It was difficult to put anything else on top other than cream. I couldn’t use this in the AM as it didn’t layer well with my Missha Aqua Sun Gel (review HERE).
I WILL SAY – I told my friend about the unpleasant oily texture and she said that what she does when using hers, is that she applied very little – so that she can spread the oil very far, and it makes it more manageable on the skin.
Key Ingredients: Ethylated Ascorbic Acid – a form of Vitamin C (a derivative – that is stable, so you don’t need to put it in the fridge or keep air away. A decent skin brightener. Deciem state that EAC is supposed to be anti-inflammatory as well and collagen production boosting too.
Apparently 0.5% of phenylethyl resorcinol is more effective than 1% of kojic acid (but note – that is what the manufacturer says and it’s not from an independent source).
Full Ingredients: Propanediol, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 25.0%, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol.
A short and sweet ingredients list!
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
(Also apparently it is Propanediol that is the thing that provides this oily texture)
Texture: Oily. This feels like a facial oil. It doesn’t disappear, it’s also mildly sticky. If you like thicker facial oils, I think you would enjoy this, but for me – I’m not a fan of facial oils full stop. So it wasn’t pleasant using this or spreading this around the face. And I found it difficult to layer products on top.
Fragrance?: No added fragrance / Essential Oils
Good Under Makeup?: No because of the oil slick – it wouldn’t work well under my foundation
How long have I been using this?: I tried this 3 times before giving up (I couldn’t handle the texture as I’m not a fan of oily products).
The Effect?: I won’t deny that this does moisturise the skin. I didn’t use this long enough to see any brightening effects (but that’s because I just couldn’t stand the texture.
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What I like:
- No added fragrance
- Non-irritating
What I don’t like:
- Oily texture (doesn’t disappear or fully absorb) – for me, it feels like my skin can’t breathe.
- Due to this texture, I found it difficult to use this in the AM (didn’t play nicely with my SPF – so could only try at night).
- I couldn’t finish using this – the texture was too greasy for me (not lightweight like the Huda Wishful Facial Oil – Review HERE)
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 2/5 – I’m not going to comment on the effectiveness of this too much, because I didn’t use this long enough to see results BUT I do usually think that L-AA (i.e. pure L-Ascorbic Acid) is more effective at brightening and being an antioxidant, compared to derivatives. I will say, as this is a derivative serum, it’s not in a more acidic base, so this product didn’t irritate or mildly sting, which was nice. I’m personally not a fan of facial oils, so a product like this, which is oily in nature, is not going to go well with me – so that is why I’m giving a low score.
I do think dry skins could really enjoy this OR if you want to use this, I would suggest putting only a little bit, to thin out that oily texture.
Would I repurchase?: No. I don’t like the oil texture.
Dupe?: I don’t have a specific dupe for this in terms of the exact Vitamin C derivative used BUT – please check out my Vitamin C Review Section to check out what Vitamin C or Vitamin C Derivative products I have tried and tested HERE – I much prefer water-based Vitamin C products (but I do understand that those oxidise much quicker).
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated 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 