DIY Vitamin C Serum for Bright, Even Skin

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DIY Homemade Vitamind C Serum for health skin and wrinkle reduction
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Vitamin C serum is an anti-aging natural skincare ingredient often found in high-end beauty regimens. You can find this antioxidant in many moisturizers, lotions, and creams as well. Why all the fuss? And is it possible to make your own (much less expensive!) vitamin C serum at home?

I’ve researched, experimented, and tried it out and the answer is… yes you can!

Vitamin C Serum Benefits

Vitamin C is touted as an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cream, and for good reason. Vitamin C is helpful for brightening and tightening skin. (This works if you take it internally too!).

Researchers found that regular use of vitamin C on the skin will:

While I love these benefits, many of these products also cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, there is a natural, homemade and inexpensive alternative (noticing a trend here?) that seems to work just as well.

How to Make Your Own Vitamin C Serum

In just a few simple steps, you can make your own brightening facial serum.

First, you will need a few items:

Next, just mix in the ratios below and store! Use as you would a facial toner. Note: Since it contains no preservatives, this serum will last about two weeks and needs to be stored in the fridge.

This serum works on most skin types, especially dry or aging skin. Customize your results based on your skin type by:

Cautions & Tips

Here’s the best way to use vitamin C serum, from personal experience:

  • Measure carefully and do not add extra vitamin C as it is acidic and can/will burn the skin if the concentration is too high. If you are dealing with a lot of wrinkles or very dry skin, extra vitamin C can be added, but work up slowly and test on the inner arm before applying it to the face.
  • If you have extra sensitive skin, dilute with even more water.
  • Alternatively, to make the vitamin c less irritating, you can add baking soda to make the serum more alkaline.
  • This is best paired with a natural skincare routine like oil cleansing.
DIY Homemade Vitamind C Serum for health skin and wrinkle reduction
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4.08 from 139 votes

Vitamin C Serum Recipe

Make a simple vitamin C skincare serum at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Prep Time2 minutes
Author: Wellness Mama

Materials

  • ½ tsp vitamin C powder
  • 1 TBSP distilled water (OR 1 tsp distilled water + 2 TBSP vegetable glycerine)

Instructions

  • In a small, dark-colored container, combine the vitamin C powder and the water.
  • If you are only using water and vitamin C, you are done. This will store for up to 2 weeks or longer in the fridge.
  • If you are using glycerin, dissolve the vitamin C in 1 teaspoon of water, then stir in 2 tablespoons of glycerin and store. This version will last a month or longer.

Notes

Personally, I like the pure vitamin C and water recipe as a toner after cleansing. However, glycerin is moisturizing and softening for the skin and will extend the recipe. DO NOT use glycerin on anything that is used in oral care or in the mouth as it is bad for teeth.

This article was medically reviewed by Cynthia Thurlow, NP, the CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, nurse practitioner, international speaker, and globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and nutritional health. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever used a vitamin C serum on your skin? How did it work for you? Share below?
Vitamin C serum helps support skin health by boosting collagen production and the natural acids in Vitamin C can help tighten skin and make it smoother.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

384 responses to “DIY Vitamin C Serum for Bright, Even Skin”

  1. Lynn Avatar

    I’ve been using the DIY C serum for about a month & I’m not impressed. I also think my eye area looks worse…Not sure what this is all about…

  2. Kate Avatar

    Hi!

    My naturopath suggested that I use a Vitamin C (or E) based cream to combat the thinning skin under my eyes (which make the veins there more noticable and aging). After some internet research I decided to go the DIY route with your serum. I’ve been using it for about a week, and I noticed this morning that there are a lot of fine lines around my eyes that weren’t there before! Has anyone had this problem with the Vitamin C serum? Should I adjust something in the recipe? Should I stop using it under my eyes and just use it at the corners where the veins are? Or should I just get more sleep? It’s a bit distressing, as everyone says so many good things about this serum!

    Thanks for any help!

      1. Rita krogh Avatar
        Rita krogh

        Thank you great points also your recipes are phenomenal wellness mama

    1. Trisa Avatar

      Kate..

      Since that skin around your eyes is so sensitive.. I would suggest that you use
      the C serum just on your face.. and use Vitamin E around your eyes..
      After a couple of weeks try mixing a little C serum with the Vitamin E and see how
      your skin reacts..

      We are all so different, so don’t fret..
      Let us know how things go..

  3. Carly Avatar

    For those asking, the ratio of vitamin C powder to liquid base in this recipe is 1:7, or about 14%.

  4. rake Avatar

    Hi everyone,

    I have been using the ascorbic acid serum on my face for a week now, and I have noticed some tiny pimples on my forehead. Did anyone else experience this? Should I stop with the serum?

  5. Lewis Avatar

    Hello! I really want to try this Vitamin C serum, but the problem is – I don’t have no access of vegetable glycerine 🙁 I have read somewhere you can use Aloe Vera gel as a substitute? Can you use it? Thanks!

  6. Patricia Avatar

    I have been making this for years.. But I have found that glycerine is just too sticky..

    So I substitute Jojoba oil.. which is the closest oil to our skins own natural oil..

    And it works beautifully.. I’m 73 and am taken for 50.. And this Serum is the key… So Keep it simple girls and don’t add anything else, 3 ingredients is all you need.. and give it time, it is not an instant fix.. Every ones skin is different, it may take some of you longer to see results..

    I have found that the ideal time to use this serum is at least 1/2 hour before you go to bed.. (to give it time to absorb).. In the morning rinse your face with filtered water (never use tap water on your face) and then use your moisturizer…

    Speaking of your moisturizer, you can add a little of your serum to it for daytime use.. (put a little of your moisturizer in the palm of your hand and add 1 or 2 drops of your serum to it and blend..

    And girls.. Never Ever use sunscreen.. It is full of harmful chemicals..
    There are natural substitutes.. Frankly, the only time you really need sunscreen is if you are spending a lot of time outdoors.. But for most of us that are just going to the store and in and out of the car running errands or going to work.. You really don’t need Sunscreen.. In fact the vit. D you get from some exposure to sun is healthy for you and your skin…

    Hope this helps..

    And to our Wellness Mama, that gives us all this wonderful info with her generous Heart.. Thank-You for all the time and effort you give to others.. you are a Blessing…

    1. Lola Avatar

      Hi Patricia

      That’s very encouraging, thank you :).

      Do you really mean three ingredients, or four? Ascorbic acid, Jojoba oil, water and…hyaluronic acid? Also doesn’t there need to be a fifth ingredient to emulsify the Jojoba oil? How do you get the oil and water portions to blend?

      I also get Maureen’s film-forming problem. Doesn’t mater if I use water or aloe, glycerine or no glycerine, I still get a kind of dry film that makes me doubt penetration. This only happens with ascorbic acid serums. My other serums in the same HA base are fine.

      Thank you 🙂

      1. Cree Avatar

        Wondering if you got the answer to your question & what it was….thanks ?

    2. Jason Avatar

      Can you please share your recipe? I used to make 1/2 tsp of l-ascorbic with 1 tsp of aloe vera, but I didnt see difference.

  7. MAUREEN Avatar

    I have been using Ascorbic Acid mixed with Reviva Labs Rosewater facial spray. the spray contains distilled rosewater, glycerin and hydrolic acid, and some other beneficial ingredients.
    The C desolves without much difficulty.
    The problem is it seems to leave a film on my skin that makes me wonder if it is indeed penetrating the skin or simply sitting on top of the surface of it. I thought it would be a good combo. I’m currently using a 15% recipe.
    Should I try the original recipe instead? Has anyone have the problem of a hardish film being left on top of the skin?
    It stings a little too but not that bad. Its the “film” left behind that leave me concerned about absorbtion.

    Thank you, Maureen

  8. Dani Avatar

    my grandmother simply used lemon or lime juice mixed with olive oil, and sweared by it. is this the same vit c and was it absorbed by the skin?

  9. Sally Avatar

    Can I crush vitamin c pills to use?also does the vitamin c have to be acidic?I saw buffered c powder but was not sure if that would absorb help need answer a!

  10. Amy Avatar

    I’ve been using this exact recipe for 6 months and it works great!! I notice if I don’t use it for a little while, my skin gets dull. I use the distilled water and the glycerin. It takes around 15 minutes to dissolve the crystals in the water. I put it in a glass measuring cup and stir with a plastic straw. Stir, stir, stir!! Then add the glycerin and mix until smooth. Use a small funnel to pour into amber glass dropper bottles. I have 5 of my girlfriends addicted to it, I make it for them. I also use it on my chest and back of hands, as it makes a good amount for 30 days. We are all 38 years old and up, notice results, and no irritation or burning!!

  11. Deirdre Avatar

    I used the Mortar and pestle to grind my Vit C . It seemed to decrease the grit a little and I make a small bit at a time, and have used Glycerine and I have used rose water and both separately…I also found that you should wear old clothes and cover your bed sheets…Night time is best…lol…keep the updates coming love to read about how others are able to create…Cheers…Dee

  12. Beth Avatar

    I bought hydralauric-vitamin C capsules. I empty one or two at a time and add water, It’s a little gritty so I use it at night. I’m going to try grinding it in a mortar/pestle. It’s enough for a couple days using it on face and neck. Last night I added coconut oil.

  13. maria Avatar

    Hello,

    I rant and rave about your site all the time!!! I’ve bought the brand you gave as an example, and now realize you wrote powder, but showed crystals. Which is best to use?

    Thanks!

  14. Heidi Avatar

    Hi Katie – I love your site and refer to it all the time! I’ve been making this serum for a few weeks now and wonder if using witch hazel instead of water would work? Or is there any reason this should be avoided? Thank you!

  15. john Avatar

    how often shud you use this vit c serum everyday? do u no the ph level of this? thanks do you notice a diffrence in your skin since using it?

  16. Mary Hall Avatar
    Mary Hall

    Hi, I apply a light oil (you can use any moisturiser) to the sensitive parts of my skin first. This helps reduce stinging. Your skin will get used to Vit C but, as suggested, you could also dilute your Vit C.

      1. John Barry Gallagher Avatar
        John Barry Gallagher

        More than 20% will inhibit absorption and you need it to be acidic to absorb at all

  17. tiffany Avatar

    Dry but. C is shelf stable for up to a year, but once in a solution it breaks down in just over 2 days. How do you stabilize it?

    1. John Barry Gallagher Avatar
      John Barry Gallagher

      Thc original research paper which i poster the referenve used a comination of zinc hylauronic. Acid and some complex buffers to stabilise during the course of the application (24 hrs) , all not easly available. I am afraid. However, if you go to the linnus pauling institute site and click skin health it will reference other stabilising methods from peer review research using natural products. Of which the name escapes me

  18. lorraine Avatar
    lorraine

    Hi OCM is beyond amazing! May I ask a question, I read one can add a pinch of Epson Salt to the oil, why and is is beneficial??
    Thanks again for this amazing site, believe it or not I read every single comment, because most of the questions are already dealt with!
    Thanks Katie

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