3 Byrdie Editors Tried Drunk Elephant’s New C-Luma Vitamin C Serum

You don’t should be obsessive about skincare to have heard of vitamin C. The ingredient is among the magnificence buzzwords that has taken over our TikTok feeds and “Get Prepared With Me” tutorials. Why is it so essential? To place it merely, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps shield our pores and skin from environmental stressors, even out pores and skin tone, and promote collagen manufacturing. Usually, it may be used throughout all pores and skin varieties. The largest distinction between formulation is the proportion of lively elements, which could be tailor-made to deal with particular issues like hyperpigmentation or acne-prone pores and skin.

Amongst the highest manufacturers on this class is Drunk Elephant. Its authentic C-Firma Recent Day Serum has been a bestseller because the model first launched. Now, Drunk Elephant is welcoming a brand new vitamin C product to the scene that is fully tailor-made to freshmen. Beneath, see a full overview of the brand new Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum together with formulation particulars, the way to use the product, and editor opinions.

The Inspiration

Drunk Elephant already had an award-winning vitamin C serum. So why create one other? Tiffany Masterson, the founder and chief artistic officer of Drunk Elephant, defined that it comes right down to concentrating on completely different core pores and skin issues and utilizing separate forms of vitamin C.

“C-Firma is a high-potency formulation that makes use of probably the most highly effective type of vitamin C—ascorbic acid—at a focus (15.0%),” she says. That is the way it delivers the fast outcomes we all know and love. However not everybody can deal with such a potent formulation from the beginning. The brand new C-Luma Hydrabright Serum is the gentler different. Consider this new class as the best manner for somebody to introduce vitamin C into their routine.

The Components

On the core of the C-Luma formulation are two milder, much less acidic types of vitamin C. The general energy of those actives totals simply 10%, which is the bottom degree out of the Drunk Elephant choices. “The formulation contains hydration-boosting elements and has a novel, light-weight water-serum texture,” explains Masterson. “Like C-Firma, C-Luma will assist enhance hyperpigmentation and indicators of growing old, simply at a extra gradual tempo, whereas additionally addressing distinctive pores and skin issues like redness and breakouts.”

Whereas vitamin C has a laundry checklist of advantages for our pores and skin, it’s traditionally a difficult ingredient to maintain secure. Relying on how a product is formulated, there is usually a timeline for an antioxidant’s freshness as quickly as you open a bottle for the primary time. How is that this new product stabilized? “C-Luma makes use of two types of vitamin C—9.0% sodium ascorbyl phosphate and 1.0% ascorbyl glucoside—which have very completely different stability necessities than ascorbic acid,” says Masterson. “They’re secure at the next, much less acidic pH (on par with a moisturizer), which is way simpler to formulate. Plus, they’ve a a lot slower breakdown course of than ascorbic acid.” Masterson shares that C-Luma’s shelf life is three years unopened and 12 months after the primary use. So no want to fret, you could have loads of time to complete the entire bottle!

Tips on how to Use It

Whether or not you like to incorporate vitamin C in your morning or night time routine, how you utilize C-Luma would be the similar. Begin by cleaning your face, then apply one pump to dry pores and skin. What’s so nice about this new formulation is that it’s light sufficient for use alongside different lively elements. “C-Luma can be utilized with most of our serums, retinol formulation, and moisturizers,” says Masterson. “In different phrases, C-Luma performs nicely with others, and you may combine it nevertheless you want. The one Drunk Elephant formulation to keep away from pairing it with is C-Firma. That’s not as a result of the 2 aren’t appropriate, however extra that it’s a waste given the [higher] efficiency of C-Firma’s formulation.”

Whereas Masterson would not counsel mixing the 2 vitamin C merchandise, she does counsel alternating the formulation in your routine for max pores and skin outcomes. “Use C-Firma in the course of the daytime and C-Luma at night time,” she says. “This leads to 24/7 vitamin C protection with extra fast outcomes on a broader, extra advanced vary of issues.”

The Critiques

Holly Rhue, editorial director

“Drunk Elephant’s authentic C-Firma Recent is frequently in my rotation, so I’m thrilled the model is increasing the vitamin C household. I instantly discovered that I’m a fan of the brand new C-Luma—it feels extra hydrating than the unique vitamin C, leaving a non-sticky veil of luminosity on my pores and skin. It’s additionally simple to tolerate—even with tons of different actives in my routine, I don’t expertise any irritation or sensitivity from utilizing C-Luma. It’s a winner!”

Olivia Hancock, editor

“I haven’t used a vitamin c serum in fairly a while, however the C-Luma Hydrabright Serum made me need to introduce one into my routine once more. This formulation is designed to boost radiance and hydrate your pores and skin, which I respect as a result of I cope with dryness and dullness. The light-weight serum absorbs effortlessly into my pores and skin and instantly after utility, I discover my pores and skin seems extra plump and glowy. Over time, I’ve observed an enchancment in general radiance and I’m excited to proceed utilizing this serum in my nighttime routine.”

Adelaide Giesey, editor

“I’ve all the time had issue discovering a vitamin C formulation that did not hassle my delicate pores and skin. Any product with a excessive proportion of actives or acids has all the time given me pause. I used to be very excited to place the brand new C-Luma serum to the take a look at after studying it was made with individuals like me in thoughts. The feel could be very light-weight and virtually creamy. I like to make use of antioxidant merchandise as a part of my morning routine. I utilized two pumps of the serum to dry pores and skin and adopted up with a light-weight moisturizer. I used to be glad that it left no sticky residue or sturdy scent behind. My first few occasions utilizing the product I did expertise some gentle tingling however nothing that brought about any concern. I like to recommend this formulation to anybody searching for a beginner-friendly vitamin C serum. ”