Drugstore Delight: Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum

This Drugstore Delight post has been a long time coming. In fact, the next time you see Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum ($34 at London Drugs) featured on this blog it might very well be in an empties round-up because that's how well-used my sample bottle from last fall's #LDBeauty event has been! Vitamin C is not new in skincare, but it has been getting a lot of buzz lately as brands release new products featuring it as a hero ingredient. And rightfully so, because vitamin C can benefit everyone and every skin type.

Vitamin C can boost collagen health and brighten and even out skin tone. As an antioxidant, it also protects against skin damage wrought by free radicals, pollution, and the blue light from screens and devices. Talk about a multi-tasker! The only downside of vitamin C is that it degrades quickly; stabilizing vitamin C in a skincare product so that it maintains its potency and efficacy is challenging.

I've been using Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum since the fall and am a big fan. The formula's vitamin C is highly stable—so stable, in fact, the bottle I received for review has a use by date of July 2021. Hyaluronic acid (the other hero ingredient in this serum) helps plump and hydrate skin. The fact that the serum is 100% natural is icing on the cake, as is the impressive list of ingredients that aren't in it: parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, petrolatum, sulfates, mineral oils, artificial colours or fragrances, or silicones.

During the day, I apply one pump to my face and neck under sunscreen for antioxidant protection. In the evenings, I use two pumps so that it acts as a more concentrated nighttime serum. It smells like oranges, absorbs quickly, applies silky smooth and lightweight with zero residue or pilling, and it doesn't clog pores. Its day-to-night versatility makes it a great serum for travel; this was the only serum I brought to Paris with me. What more can you ask for for a mere $34?