DIY Vitamin C Serum for Glowing Skin

This homemade vitamin C serum soothes your skin without any harsh chemicals. I use it every night for glowing skin.

After the birth of my third child, my skin changed. I noticed the color was not as even and spots were starting to pop up. I especially noticed it when looking back at older photos of myself. What’s a crunchy Mama to do? I could not justify spending the cold hard cash on those expensive lightening creams, nor did I want to use those harsh chemicals. So, I did some homework online and found some great skin serums. I experimented and came up with my own version that also soothes the skin. I use it every night and LOVE it. I hope you enjoy myDIY Vitamin C Serum too!

Why this is good for your skin:

Vitamin C: It’s just all around great for your skin: “A significant body of scientific research supports the use of cosmeceuticals containing vitamin C. Cutaneous benefits include promoting collagen synthesis, photoprotection from ultraviolet A and B, lightening hyperpigmentation, and improvement of a variety of inflammatory dermatoses. Because of the diverse biologic effects of this compound, topical vitamin C has become a useful part of the dermatologist’s armamentarium” (source)
Glycerin: It is moisturiziung and has beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin (source)
Aloe:The Aloevera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties (source)

Note: This is a recipe for a 10% serum, if you make it stronger, it can burn your skin. With regular use you can test making it stronger — but take it slow. Do your homework when you want to increase the strength!

As we get older, our skin changes. This homemade vitamin C serum soothes your skin without any harsh chemicals. I use it every night for glowing skin.

Ingredients

4 tsp Distilled Water
1/4 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
1/4 tsp Pure Aloe Vera
1/2 tsp L’Ascorbic Acid Powder

Instructions

Mix water, glycerine, and aloe ina small jaruntil combined.
Add in the Vitamin C powder, cover the jar with aplastic lidand shake it until the Vitamin C is dissolved.
Pour into a colored glass dropper bottle. It is important to use colored glass because Vitamin C oxidizes fast!
This serum has a shorter shelf life than most cosmetics because the Vitamin C oxidizes in the water over time. So, make it pretty often. I find that I make it about every 1-2 weeks.

Notes

Note: You might find it tingles when applied, this is normal. If it burns, then make a weaker dilution or use it every other day.

I apply Vitamin C Serum to my face every morning when I wake up and every night before bed. It can be applied morning and night!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Watch my how-to video below

P.S. If you don’t want to make your own face serums, I have also found a Vitamin C Serum for sale on Amazon that my crunchy friends rave about.

CLICK HERE to Pin this Recipe

DIY Vitamin C Serum for Glowing Skin - Real Food RN (8)

Resources:

None of these health benefits have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. They should not be used in place of personal judgment or medical treatment when needed, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. (Only your doctor can diagnose and treat disease.)Read my full disclaimer.

More to Love

Homemade Citrus Scouring Scrub

I have created a wonderful cleanser that not only is non-toxic but works when you need to clean tables and…

Easy DIY Recipes for Household Cleaners You Can Make with What You Have in Your Pantry

Did you know your pantry holds everything you need to clean your home? This is especially helpful to know because…

Homemade Cleopatra Face Cream Tallow Balm Recipe

Legend has it that Cleopatra used a variety of different beauty rituals, and when you read up on her techniques,…

Great newsletter! I have essential oils but haven’t been using them lately. Signed up for your email class! Pinned the non-grain flours and vitamin C serum posts, too. Thanks for all the great info!
Reply
I just placed my order for the coffee. I’ve been looking for a healthier coffee. I know how important mushrooms for good immune health. Thank you for the link.
Reply
1. I hope you like it Anita. I love it! 🙂
  Reply
Would it hurt to add a drop of therapeutic grade Orange Essential Oil this?
Reply
1. I think that would be lovely 🙂
  Reply
  1. Can you explain how to choose the correct ascorbic acid powder, please?
    I would like to buy a much smaller amount. Not sure that I could use this large container full before it goes bad.
    Thank you in advance.
    Reply
    1. Hi Connie! This is an older post of mine, and the ascorbic acid was only available in that size. I just checked and found a much smaller size and I updated the post. But here is a link as well: https://rstyle.me/+FvbPb2QDPAHMljaHmKXmCQ. Hope you love it!
      Reply
Do you know of any other uses for the vitamin C powder?
Reply
1. I have only used the vitamin C powder for this serum
  Reply
Pingback: 10 Highly Effective DIY Vitamin C Serums, Lotions, & Masks - Simple Pure Beauty
Is the aloe vera in liquid form or gel?
Reply
1. its a liquid
  Reply
Pingback: 072- Detoxing Your Skincare Routine | DIY Makeup and More - Revolution Oils
Can you let me know where this serum falls in order with your other items? Do you do this with toner and your moisturizer? Or is this in place of one of those? Trying to figure out the order to use all these great recipes! 🙂
Reply
1. This is what I put on before any lotion or makeup, morning and night
  Reply
  1. Thank you for the quick response! So, this is after toner?
    Reply
I just made this tonight pretty excited about it! Should the texture feel like you’re putting on water to your face? Also how much do you normally use?
Reply
I made this tonight super excited! I just wanted to know if the texture of it should feel like water? Also how much should I use?
Reply
1. It does feel like water. I use a dime sized amount in my hand
  Reply
Could you make your own vitamin c powder out of organic orange and lemon peels for this recipe or would you recommend buying the vitamin c that you recommend?
Reply
1. I would buy the powder, its pharmaceutical grade. Not sure on the efficacy of using orange peels as a powder
  Reply
wondering if I could add the vit c powder just to the rosehip oil based serum I already make?
Reply
1. Sure, that works!
  Reply
When I try to add the vit. C powder to another product the powder doesn’t melt completely making the serum gritty.
Reply
1. It takes some shaking for it to dissolve completely
  Reply
Why do you have to use Vit C Powder, wouldn’t Liquid version work?
Reply
1. This is a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C powder, that elicits the desired effects
  Reply
Hi, I wanted to ask if you wanted to do a 20% solution of vitamin c what would the recipe be. Thank You.
Reply
1. This post details it nicely: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/1lfm47/diy_vitamin_c_serum_a_really_full_explanation/
  Reply
  1. Hi, but what if I wanted to do the same recipe you have on here but in 20% instead of the 10% serum with the aloe and the glycerin. The recipe you have works great. I was just trying to make the same recipe but in 20%.
    Reply
  2. Thank You so much for the link.
    Reply
Pingback: Frankincense Face Cream for Beautiful Skin
Pingback: How to Start a Health Routine (and stick to it!)
Pingback: 200+ DIY Beauty Products & Recipes – INJI TRAVEL
Hey! Can used 365 high potency vitamin c powder ascorbic acid to make in serum?
Reply
1. if that one is pharmaceutical grade
  Reply
Pingback: Episode #10: Melissa Schollaert – Health Damaging Toxins in Our Personal Care Products
Pingback: 200+ DIY Beauty Products and Recipes: The Ultimate List | The Nourished Life
Can a pill form of vit c be crushed and used?
Reply
1. It has to be the pharmaceutical grade, so a vitamin supplement will not have the same benefit.
  Reply
Can you add a preservative to this to make it last longer? If so what would you add?
Reply
1. I don’t think so, the vitamin C is what degrades fast.
  Reply
Hi Kate. The only Aloe Vera I could get is 100% pure oil. Will this work? It doesn’t seem to mix all that well. Also, on the video, the amount you come up with seems a lot more than I ended up with. Are you using I tiny bottle or doubling the amount? Thanks…new to your blog but enjoy it.
Reply
1. it’s a tiny bottle
  Reply
Hi Kate. Will 100% pure aloe oil work?
Thanks.
Reply
1. I am not familiar with aloe oil, I use this: https://realfoodrn.com/purealoevera
  Reply

5 ways to get yourself on a healthy path, today.

ThisFREE ebook offers 5 quick tips to getting on a road to health, today. Inside, you will find valuable resources to help and inspire you along the way.

Get yourFREE copy of this great resource now!

By submitting your email for this ebook, you also agree to be signed up for the Real Food RN newsletter and other Real Food RN emails. Your information is never sold or given away by Real Food RN.

DIY Vitamin C Serum for Glowing Skin - Real Food RN (2024)

FAQs

What ingredients make a good vitamin C serum? ›

Vitamin C serums are skincare products that contain L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Effective vitamin C products contain between an eight and 20 percent concentration of vitamin C. They may also contain tyrosine, zinc, and vitamin E and be in an opaque bottle.

Read The Full Story ›

Does homemade vitamin C serum work? ›

Homemade vitamin C serum is more likely to have a pH that is too low and can cause irritation. Therefore, if you decide to make it at home, also carry a pH strip and when it's ready to use, check the pH level of your serum and then apply it on your skin to avoid any future skin reaction or allergy.

Get More Info Here ›

How do you make hyaluronic acid and vitamin C serum? ›

Thoroughly dissolve Vitamin C powder in distilled water, then add in Hyaluronic Acid powder. It will be clumpy! Refrigerate for an hour, or so, then stir in. Add Oil, if desired, and transfer to a dark glass bottle with dropper.

What ingredients not to mix with vitamin C? ›

Vitamin C should not be mixed with acids, which includes all AHAs and BHAs. Vitamin C plays a key role in strengthening the outer layer of our skin barrier, but when combined with an acid, it can enhance the potency of your vitamin C and cause severe irritation [5].

What is the best serum to mix with vitamin C? ›

Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C have no unwanted interactions and the benefits of HA complement vitamin C's anti-ageing and skin texture improving properties, making these ingredients a good pair. We recommend using our HA Intensifier Hyaluronic Acid Serum to follow up after applying your vitamin C serum in the morning.

Get More Info Here ›

Which ingredient is highest in vitamin C? ›

The Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is an Australian native superfood containing 100 times more vitamin C than oranges. It has the highest known concentration of vitamin C of any food, containing up to 2,907 mg per 100 grams (g).

What is better than vitamin C serum? ›

Niacinamide. If you're looking to replace vitamin C with something milder, studies show that niacinamide is an excellent, gentle alternative with similar skin benefits.

Learn More Now ›

What is the richest natural source of vitamin C? ›

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of this vitamin.

Citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit)
Bell peppers.
Strawberries.
Tomatoes.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower)
White potatoes.

Read On ›

What is the purest form of vitamin C? ›

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid (in its purest form) is a naturally occurring water-soluble antioxidant that is required to maintain collagen production, amongst other things.

Show Me More ›

How do you make vitamin C glow serum? ›

You will need:

Place the Vitamin C powder in the glass bottle and add the distilled water or the rose water into the bottle and shake well, till the powder dissolves completely. Then, add the glycerine to this. Puncture the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze the oil in to the bottle.

Discover More ›

How do you preserve homemade vitamin C serum? ›

To keep your vitamin C serum from breaking down, always close the bottle tightly as soon as you finish using it. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place, like your refrigerator, and never store the serum in the bathroom, since fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause the formula to break down more quickly.

See Details ›

What is a natural alternative to vitamin C serum? ›

Instead of vitamin C, try a serum that features resveratrol, green tea, or coenzyme Q-10. Resveratrol is the antioxidant found in grapes, and the reason why red wine is considered health food in some circles. Green tea's active antioxidant, a polyphenol called EGCG, is photoprotective and soothing.

Get More Info ›

Can you crush vitamin C tablets and apply to skin? ›

When applying a vitamin C powder to your face, it's important to make sure that you're using a powder meant for topical use. Applying crushed-up vitamin C meant to be eaten as a supplement likely won't be effective.

DIY Vitamin C Serum for Glowing Skin - Real Food RN (2024)