Vitamin C has so many properties it's amazing. It boosts collagen production, exfoliates, increases skin firmness, lightens hyper-pigmentation, the list goes on and on.
Vitamin C Serums on the market are much more expensive but if you make your own, the cost is much less. The added benefit is that it actually works, and it's absolutely fresh. All you need are the crystals/powder, water, glycerin, and/or a moisturizer. It's your choice if you'd like to make a toner, a serum or a moisturizer with Vitamin C. You can also make a mask with Vitamin C. One of my favorites masks is to crush the crystals with a teaspoon of yogurt and spread it on my face. I've even used plain yogurt. Whatever you do, always use 1/4 teaspoon of Vitamin C along with the other additive. If you like a toner, just use water. If you like a serum, use glycerin and water. If you would like to just add some to your moisturizer too. The choice is yours. But most importantly, make it fresh daily. If you find that your skin is becoming too reddened, then back off and reduce your Vitamin C applications to 3 times weekly. You'll know if you're doing too much by how your skin is reacting. I found this list of percentages for those that have never used Vitamin C. Start with 5% and then go up to 20% gradually. Your skin will love you for it.
The following are guidelines for mixing your own bases.
5% Serum-1/4 tsp Powder + 4 & 3/4 tsp base
10% Serum-1/4 tsp Powder + 2 & 1/4 tsp base
15% Serum-3/8 tsp Powder + 2 & 1/8 tsp base
20% Serum-1/4 tsp Powder + 1 tsp base
You can use a mix of water and glycerin , moisturizer, yogurt, etc. for the base. Always start with the 5% to see how your skin reacts, use that strength for a week or so, if your skin is reacting well, go to the next strength. At 20%, you're at the highest.
Best to make small batches often as opposed to making a large batch because it works better when it's fresh and it doesn't keep very well (I store it in the fridge to be on the safe side).
If you've never made your own beauty products, you must try! I've been making a lot of them because I'm trying to use more natural/organic products and I find that homemade ones definitely work the best as they're not laden with preservatives, they're cheaper than buying ready-made and usually the products can be found in your kitchen.
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