review indeed labs vitamin c24 cream

Did you know that Vitamin C and water don’t get along?

When they’re at the same party, you need to lower the pH to less than 3.5 to get Vitamin C to work (a lower pH = higher risk of irritation).

Even then, Vitamin C ain’t happy. Even a few drops of water make it oxidise (i.e. lose effectiveness) faster.

A lot of formulators get around this by using a more stable derivative of Vitamin C, but those usually aren’t as powerful as L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure, water-hating original.

Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 took a different approach. Instead of removing the pure form of Vitamin C that’s such a pain to formulated with, it got rid of the water instead.

Does this tactic work better? Let’s take a look:

What’s In Indeed Labs Vitamin C24?

L-ASCORBIC ACID TO FIGHT WRINKLES

Two things happen when you use Ascorbic Acid in an water-free (anhydrous) product:

  1. It remains effective for longer: Water speeds up the oxidisation process, making Vitamin C go bad quickly.
  2. It penetrates your skin better: Usually if the pH isn’t low enough, Vitamin C won’t work. Water-free products have no pH so Vitamin C can just get in and do its thing.

So, what is this thing? Well, it’s more than one. Ascorbic Acid has a few superpowers:

If you’re worried about anti-aging, you need Vitamin C in your arsenal.

P.S. Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 contains 22% Ascorbic Acid, the same concentration used in studies to measure its ability to boost collagen. Basically, there’s enough here for it to work its magic.

Related: What Does Vitamin C In Skincare Do?


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SODIUM HYALURONATE TO HYDRATE SKIN

Sodium Hyaluronate is a form of Hyaluronic Acid. That’s a humectant that draws moisture from the environment into your skin and binds it there.

Sodium Hyaluronate does this particularly well – it can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water! Plus, when applied to dry skin, it settles into wrinkles and swells up. It’s a trick that makes your wrinkles and fine lines look smaller (for a while).

Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type

SILICONES TO MINIMIZE FINE LINES

Yep, Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 is a silicone based cream. I know, I know. But hear me out before you start hating on silicones.

Silicones have a special molecular structure. It’s made up of large molecules with gaps between them. This allows it to create a protective barrier that allows active ingredients to get through and your skin to perspire.

Translation: silicones won’t suffocate your skin. I repeat: silicones WON’T suffocate your skin.

You know what they do instead? All this:

  • Settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them look smaller
  • Smoothen out the complexion
  • Make skin feel silky soft to the touch
  • Helps the serum spread easily on the skin

Granted, all these benefits are temporary. But there’s enough Vitamin C here to give you the long-term benefits you crave.

Related: Do Silicones Prevent Other Ingredients From Penetrating Your Skin?

Texture

Slightly thick and silky soft.

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free.

How To Use It

In the AM, after cleansing.

Performance & Personal Opinion

You can tell Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 is loaded with silicones. The slightly, thick, silky soft texture gives away the secret during the first application. I personally love the feel of silicones on my skin, but I know this is very personal. If you can’t stand it, this is a no-go for you.

The other problem with silicones like Dimethicone? They’re water-repellent. If you apply a water-based moisturiser on top, it tends to ball up (yes, I’ve discovered that the hard way). I get around this by using it in the morning with a facial oil (Inlight Beauty Face Oil, in case you’re interested – review coming soon!). Problem solved!

One more thing: my skin is pretty resilient, but even so, the first couple of times I’ve used this cream, it stung a little bit. That’s totally normal with high concentrations of Vitamin C. I’ve now built it up to daily use, but if your skin is more sensitive than mine, stick to two or three times a week.

FYI, the results are totally worth it: the cream smoothed out my skin and brightened my complexion. Now, it has a lovely radiant glow and looks softer to the touch, too. I don’t have any dark spots, but science has proved that this much Vitamin C can fade them, too.

Even though it’s loaded with Sodium Hyaluronate, I don’t find the formula very hydrating. I use a separate moisturiser (oil, actually), so this isn’t a biggie for me. But Sodium Hyaluronate does help minimise the look of my fine lines so it’s not totally useless. 🙂

Related: What To Do When Your Skincare Products Pill Or Ball Up

indeed labs vitamin c24

Who Is This For?

Mature skin looking for a Vitamin C product that won’t go bad within a month.

Who Is This NOT For?

Sensitive skin.

Packaging

A white tube. Not pretty, but practical.

Does Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 Live Up To Its Claims?

CLAIM TRUE?
This combined serum and moisturiser is formulated with 22% L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) and 2% hyaluronic microspheres to help protect your skin from environmental damage while increasing hydration levels to even out skin tone and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.  True.
Unlike other vitamin C serums, vitamin C24 has a unique formula that stays stable, doesn’t oxidize and is designed to optimize absorption into the skin, allowing for maximum vitamin C benefits and potency. It’s not that unique anymore as other brands are following this approach. Also, its silicones-base slows down the absorption of Vitamin C a little.
This moisturising cream leaves your skin brighter, younger and more radiant.  It’s not particularly moisturising, but the rest is true.
Reduces the appearance of premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles. True.

Price & Availability

$24.99/£24.99 at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic and Ulta

Do You Need It?

If you’re looking for a water-free Vitamin C cream, this is one of the best out there.

Dupes & Alternatives

Have you tried a water-free Vitamin C serum or cream? Share your experience in the comments below.

Ingredients

Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. Sodium Hyaluronate, Helyxene Glycol