Not many skincare products from The Body Shop thrill me. I used to use their Vitamin E cream but it did not work out for me after a while. So, when I first read about how effective The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost was, I was quite sceptical. So sceptical in fact that I only checked it out in the store and put it back because I wasn’t sure the silicone feel would work for me.
A couple of years later, I came across this glowing review on the Vitamin C Skin Boost on Beetrice’s Reviews and something in me snapped. I had to try it!
What this Vitamin C Skin Boost does is to give a boost to the skin of your face. It promises to brighten the face, improve elasticity, neutralise free radicals and soften skin and restore suppleness and strengthens the skin’s natural defence system. All very lofty claims indeed. But what is it really?
I treat the Skin Boost as a treatment serum. The bottle doesn’t really have much information on it and it doesn’t even tell you the order in which it should be applied on your face or what it even is. I’d have liked information that says whether it should go on before moisturiser or if it is in itself a moisturiser. Online, it says it can be either.
I treat it as a serum so I apply it straight onto cleansed and toned skin day and night and then apply my moisturiser on top of it. By itself, I don’t think it offers enough moisture for the skin. It doesn’t feel any oilier with moisturiser on top of it which is nice.
The bottle is really quite small. 30ml in a glass bottle with a pump. The serum is a clear light gel texture with a strong citrus smell. The prevailing smell is that of oranges which is very rejuvenating and uplifting for me especially in the morning, and again in the evening after a long day. It doesn’t last though if you are sensitive to fragrances.
Only very little is really needed to cover the whole face as I find the serum very easy to spread. I’ve found that when I apply it on my skin, it leaves the skin looking quite matte and feeling very smooth. I find that there is a cool feeling on the skin too, rather minty and if I happen to get some Skin Boost on my lips or around my lips area it tingles a little.
I did wonder if the “boost” factor was due to the glycerin based gel which made the skin feel so smooth and nice. If so, the effects would be only temporary.
Only having introduced this one new item into my daily routine, I noticed after 3 weeks that my skin seems to be looking better. I was not having a lot of skin problems before, but my skin colouring did tend to be quite uneven, with redness on the cheeks and nose area. Just before I started with Skin Boost, I was also having some upheaval with my skin where it was breaking out in parts.
After 3 weeks, I found that my skin was feeling substantially smoother and looked clear and more even toned. I have some old acne scars and some uneven skin texture around my cheeks but in the 3 weeks I was using Skin Boost, the skin had cleared up. There was even a bit of a glow which was definitely not attributed to oiliness! Because my skin was now more radiant and felt more supple, my acne scars and pores actually looked less prominent than before! My skin tone was clearly more even – I did not have to use as much concealer or foundation in the day – and my skin was just generally looking so much better than before.
The clincher was when I went for my monthly facial and had my facialist tell me that my skin was looking very good and better than when she saw me last.
I knew I was onto something good!
Some information on Vitamin C
Vitamin C by itself is supposed to be a good antioxidant and has anti aging effects due to it fighting free radicals. In terms of skincare, I have been aware for a long time about the benefits of Vitamin C for the skin – healthier stronger more radiant skin and better collagen production resulting in more supple skin. In fact, due to its antioxidant properties, I’ve read recommendations for the Vitamin C serum to be applied on the skin before sunscreen to boost the protection of the skin. I’m no expert though so I cannot confirm this.
However, I also know that Vitamin C is sensitive to light and oxidises very quickly in the air and turns yellowish when it does. So, when you buy a product which says it contains Vitamin C this is something to note. I would guess that this is why this Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop comes in a glass bottle that is covered completely by the orange plastic label to protect it from the light. This has its down sides because you can’t really tell how much is left. I did unscrew the top of the pump to check and even after 3 weeks of daily use it still looked pretty full.
I honestly do not know stable the Vitamin C in Skin Boost is but as the gel pumps out everyday in a clear form, and my skin continues with its upward trend of radiance, I’m fine with it. 🙂
A bottle of Vitamin C Skin Boost retails for RM79.00 for 30ml at all The Body Shop stores. It can seem quite pricey, but I can see that this one serum will remain in my skincare regime for a long time to come. I don’t have a before and after picture but you can check out Beetrice’s Reviews for her picture testimonial on this product that sold me on it. I recommended it to my sister and she too has experienced a marked effect after just 1 week. She has sensitive skin and has not experienced any problems using Skin Boost so I reckon its alright for sensitive skins too. For those interested in ingredients, the key ingredients are Lanolin, Vitamin C and Orange Flower Water.
Pros: Light texture, Evens out skin tone, Skin is more radiant and clearer, lovely citrus scent
Cons: Not enough information on how to use on the product label, can seem pricey to some
[rating:4.5/5]
Update 2011: This was a good product while I was using it. I no longer use this because I have found it contains too much silicone for my preferences. I now use other serums. Reviews can be found here.
jojoba says
ok just one quieston. i swear by pure vitamin e oil. so how is this compare to vitamin e oil since you also use that? thanks
ParisB says
Synical: thanks for the tips. I’ll try to work out a system when I get to the bottom.
Giddy Tigress: Well only if you need it m’dear!
jojoba: I’ll be thinking about this over the weekend and report back next week!
akiki says
I had been using the Vitamin C Eye Reviver from the body shop for a long time.
I must say that i do not like it at all since i could not see any changes on my eyes.
The SA told me that it is good for dark circles, wrinkles and also eye-bags(this was the main reason for me to buy it), and it cost about RM65~RM69 for this 30ml bottle.
I felt that i was cheated and i will never buy any skin care products from the body shop in the future….
p/s* Their body wash are really good, worth to buy and try!
plue says
was wondering, if the eye serum from this range works?
after i am done with my neutrogena serum, i feel like trying this out! 😀
ParisB says
Akiki: I never really have faith in products relating to the eyes from any brand! However, different products from the same brand may work differently so sometimes, it may be worth trying something else. As you say the bath stuff work great.
plue: I’ve never tried the eye serum so I can’t tell sorry.
Rene says
I used to purchase the Philosophy Vit. C powder that you add to your lotions. I loved it, but it was too expensive (IMHO). However, since it stayed in powder form until you used it, it didn’t oxidize. The other day while wandering through my favorite health food store, I saw that you could buy Vit. C powder by the pound…dirt cheap! Do you think it’s the same stuff and would work on skin?
prettybeautiful says
i bought this 🙁 and i am breaking out like mad. i think it is not for me…
ParisB says
@prettybeautiful: Perhaps its the silicones. Not everyone’s skin can handle silicones.
wen says
hi =)
im wondering if this is suitable for oily skin as well?
im suffering from a bad bout of acne all of a sudden,
i suspect it’s prolly cos of sch stressors.
haha.
thanks!
Daisy says
Oh yeah..This really works! I’ve been using their Vit C & E products including Skin Boost for more than 3 years. I still remember after the first week or so of wearing Skin Boost & Vit C Night Treatment. I have not had enough sleep and rest for a while during that time. After the first week of using these stuffs, people in the office and friends actually noticed that my skin was radiant and glowing.
So I have to say, I’m officially a loyal Body Shop addict since then. I have tried most of their Vit C & Vit E products that’s locally available and I swear by Vit C Cleansing Face Polish, Skin Boost, Night Treatment and Energizing Facial Spritz. Vit C Eye Reviver also did nothing to me. For Vit E, I really love Sink-In moisture mask (worn over Vit C night treatment). Its really worth trying if your skin is prone to dehydration due to working and sleeping in air-con.
ParisB says
@Daisy : Glad to know the range is working for you. Thanks for the info on the different lines and products.
quyen says
can you apply it around the eye area?
ParisB says
Hi quyen
I won’t advise it. Body Shop has one product specifically for eyes.
ALVEENA says
i want to try the body shop vitamin c skin boost, infact i’ve almost bought it many times, but i wonder if it’s made for oily skin… my skin is prone to white heads… will it make it worse?
minnie says
dont buy such an expensive product dat gives no result at all…wastage of money!! above all ur skin would become dull and dry…it gives me a low form of pimples…theeir whole vit c range is wastage of money and worst..its better to buy a rs.50 pears facewash….
titi says
soo should I apply it before or after moisturizer?
and will it be advisable if I don’t apply moisturizer at all and just apply the loose powder after?
thx!
ParisB says
Before moisturiser and if you feel its hydrating enough, you can skip moisturizer but I don’t recommend it from personal experience and from recollection. I don’t use this anymore. It stopped working.
janet says
Hi, Paris
Just curious if you are still using this body shop vitamin c skin boost ? Thought of getting one after reading your review.
ParisB says
I don’t use this anymore Janet. After about 2-3 bottles, I found the texture was too silicone-y for my preferences. I now use other serums depending on my needs and you can read about them here.
Minni04 says
Search for ebay seller zarizaza14
s/he sells a vitamin c regime that comes in a lil pack which costs more than £30, but atm it’s at £17.50 and the bottles seem to be full size too. I got mine in the post yesterday.. loving it! Getting ready for summer! Yay! Excellent product