How to Choose the Right Vitamin C Serum | Medik8 C-Tetra Range Guide, by Medik8 on YouTube. 2 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Start by naming your main concern: dullness and lack of radiance, dark spots and discolouration, or uneven skin texture. That decides how strong you want to go.
Check your skin type. Very sensitive skin, or skin that has never used vitamin C, suits the lowest rung: a 7% serum with vitamin E in a classic serum format.
If your skin is dry and you want instant radiance plus nourishing oils, pick an oil-based formula at around 14%, with squalane and maracuja oil.
If your skin already tolerates vitamin C and dark spots are the priority, choose the highest rung: a lightweight gel-serum at 20%, boosted with antioxidants.
Read the ingredient list for the vitamin C form. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is an oil-soluble, gentler type that suits reactive skin better than harsh acids.
Patch test before your first full use. Put a drop behind your ear or on your jawline, wait 24 hours, and check for redness or stinging.
Apply the serum in the morning on clean skin, then follow with sunscreen. Keep vitamin A for the evening so the two do not compete.
Stay on one strength for a few weeks before moving up a rung. Step up only when your skin feels calm and comfortable on the current one.
Tips and common mistakes
More vitamin C is not automatically better, so start low if your skin stings or flakes easily.
Store the bottle out of direct sun and close the cap tightly, because vitamin C breaks down with light and air.
Daily sunscreen does more for dark spots than the serum alone, so do not skip it.
If your skin turns red, stings or flakes, drop back to the lower strength and use it every other day.
Questions
Do I have to start at the lowest strength?
Not always, but sensitive skin and first-time vitamin C users do better at 7%. Move up once your skin settles and feels comfortable.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
Yes, but split them by time of day. Use vitamin C and sunscreen in the morning, and vitamin A at night.
Which strength is best for dark spots?
The 20% gel-serum is aimed at dark spots, dullness and uneven texture. Choose it only if your skin already tolerates vitamin C.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
