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Home » New on shelves » The Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C might be small but it sure is mighty good stuff!

The Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C might be small but it sure is mighty good stuff!

November 18, 2016 Paris B 16 Comments

While I’d known for many years about the efficacy of vitamin C for skin, as an antioxidant and for clarifying and firming up the skin, I’d never had much luck with it. It wasn’t until I used the Hylamide C25 Booster that I actually noticed results. Since then, I’ve been itching to try more, and maybe, better formulas.

I found one!

dr brandt power dose vitamin c

I first came across the Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C on Futurederm, which I’d suggest you read for a clinical breakdown (and favourable) review of this serum. The minute I clapped eyes on that post, I knew I had to have it.

Fortuitously, a bottle of the Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C popped onto my desk one day, much to my squeals of delight 🙂 My first reaction when I saw the bottle was a disbelieving frown. If you notice from the box, it is a mere 16.3ml of product. It’s TINY!

Yet, this serum has visibly clarified my skin even further than what I saw with Hylamide C25 Booster, and even more significantly, it had lightened my pigmentation. That’s what sold me onto this product and convinced me I was on to a winner.

The Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C contains 20% stablized vitamin c – 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate. The former, my research turned up, is what inhibits melanin production, and that is what offers the lightening of my dark spots and the inhibition of new ones. This beats any whitening serum I’ve used to date, because it not only lightened my dark spots (although that was not my primary intention to use it), but best of all, it did not dry out my skin!

If you have hung around for a while, you’d notice that I do not feature whitening or brightening skincare products. I have pigmentation and dark spots, that are visible and I don’t do much about them. Having tried all sorts of these whitening skincare over the years, I have concluded that I am better off without them. Not only do they not do much in the long term for my skin, they dry out the skin something awful and ironically, the dehydration makes the dark spots darker. If you are using a whitening skincare range, don’t use it for the long term, and always use a hydrating serum because your skin will really go bonkers one day.

But skin lightening was not what I noticed first. It happened fairly gradually, and only after a few weeks of using this once a day, in the morning. The first thing I noticed was that my skin was more even and clearer, that my pores looked smaller and my skin was firmer, fuller and smoother.

dr brandt power dose vitamin c

The serum is a watery clear liquid that has a hint of yellow in the dropper. It is light in texture and absorbs quickly into the skin without any residue nor any oily feeling. After using this, when I went back to Hylamide C25 Booster, I noticed the oily feeling that many people had observed, but which I didn’t notice the first time around. The Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C doesn’t have this, feeling almost like water, with only the slightest of viscosity, and without any scent.

The directions call for 3 drops, so I was quite faithful to it, using 3 drops each time, after toner and before a hydrating serum and moisturiser. You can also mix it with your moisturiser but I prefer using it on its own directly on skin. I also only used it in the morning, because Vitamin C is supposed to be an antioxidant that also helps to protect against UV damage. I could also use it in the evening, but I didn’t because I use other serums in the evening routine. If I had, I might have seen results more quickly and visibly.

As for the skin lightening, how did notice this? By noticing that I was using less concealer and feeling much more comfortable using less, or sheerer foundations. My skin seemed to have a glow that I could not attribute to much else, because I’ve really been going through some really crappy times. There is a ways to go yet before my dark spots are gone. They might never be, but they are a touch lighter than what they used to be and I’m happy with this gradual fading as I don’t believe in products that promise drastic results.

dr brandt power dose vitamin c

The size of this serum however, as I have noted, is tiny. Yet, because I use just 3 drops each time and I only use it once a day, it’s been over a month, almost 1.5 months, and I’m only about halfway through the bottle. I won’t pretend that this is by any stretch of the imagination affordable, because it isn’t. But it works so well, I will keep this on a to-repurchase list. I do plan to try others – you know me – which is why I can’t say with great certainty that I WILL repurchase, but because it’s easy to get hold of this one locally, I can forsee keeping it in my routine in the future.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C is a vitamin C serum that contains 20% of stablized vitamin C. It is a light textured serum that absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any residue. With once a day use in the morning, I noticed that my skin was not only smoother and clearer, with a glow, but also that my dark spots were noticeably lightened, and I wasn’t getting any new dark spots. This had surprised me because I’d gotten so used to my pigmentation, that I didn’t think they’d get any lighter. Best of all, this isn’t drying at all. I do combine with a hydrating serum, but even when I don’t, it doesn’t dry my skin. I love it, even if I don’t love the price nor the little size.

PROS: Light texture absorbs easily into skin, Effective in lightening dark spots, With regular use skin is clearer with a glow and firmer and feels and looks smoother, Dropper picks up product easily and is easy to control

CONS: Pricey, Small sized bottle

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a vitamin C serum that really works to clarify skin, lighten dark spots, firm up skin and smoothen skin texture

PRICE: RM285 | US$69 for 16.3ml

WHERE TO BUY: KENS Apothecary stores or online at Sephora, Ulta, Strawberrynet

If you’re interested, here is the Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C ingredient list

dr brandt power dose vitamin c ingredient list

I must say I was very impressed by this. I wasn’t expecting to be, but it’s always nice to be proven wrong 🙂

Does this serum interest you? Do you use a Vitamin C serum?

I’m in the market for other Vitamin C serums, naturally. Having seen how effective a good formula can be, both for my skin texture and for helping lighten my dark spots that have been there for years, I’m gratified that I have finally found something that can clarify my skin without drying it out like a husk. That makes me a happy camper 😀

Paris B

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16 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Disclosure: Featured product was a press sample for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.
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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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16 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. Luanne says

    November 19, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Readers may want to take note that, when applied on skin, vitamin c can cause allergy to some. I experienced itchiness, stinging sensation and redness, about half a day after the application and the symptoms lasted for about 3 days. The allergy wasn’t as severe during the 2nd and 3rd tries, it may meant my skin is adjusting to it, but I only dared it before the weekend.
    Wasn’t going for the lightening effect, though I have pigmentation too. Was just trying it out of curiosity.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 21, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you for the warning and reminder Luanne! It didn’t strike me about the skin sensitivity, because I didn’t react to it. Makes me forget that some people might! Sorry to hear that you had reacted to Vitamin C, but it’s good to know that it’s slowly adjusting. I suppose like all effective ingredients, like retinol for instance, a period of adjustment for the skin is necessary before we go all mad scientist and whack everything on 😀 Is your skin more receptive to Vit C now?

      Reply
  2. Victoria Shanti says

    November 22, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Ah..but its so expensive :-(. I am loving the Hylamide C25 Booster which I started using at the end of May every morning and which still has maybe 30%-40% more to finish. Like you said, Vitamin C does help with skin clarity and it gives a nice glow to the face which I only noticed after comments by friends and colleagues. Would love to try this but its over my budget.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 22, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      I feel you Victoria 🙁 The price is quite a killer, I’d agree! That said, Hylamide is a great option, and I’m planning to try The Ordinary as well, which has a tiny little price tag! I’m just hoping it’s as effective, and then we can all save some money! 😉 Happy to know however, that using Vitamin C has helped clarify your skin. It’s amazing isn’t it?! 😀

      Reply
  3. Phoebe says

    November 22, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Unfollowing as your posts are basically advertisements, therefore, can not be truthful, even if you state otherwise, because frankly, what else would you say.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 22, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Thank you for telling me my blog post is as good and as persuasive as an ad copy. It’s a compliment 🙂 I can’t help it if a product works well for me. I am but one voice. You, and everyone are entitled and encouraged to seek out other views for a more informed opinion. Still, you are entitled to your views, and I thank you for taking your time to leave a comment 🙂

      Reply
      • Beauty Bee says

        March 31, 2017 at 8:22 pm

        it’s because your photos are so good Paris! 😀

        It’s odd people would have that opinion (especially if they are subscribers) because not all your reviews are positive… people are so odd aren’t they?!

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          April 4, 2017 at 10:21 pm

          Indeed Sylvia – Well, I guess they’re entitled to their view (just as we’re entitled to ours 😉 )

          Reply
  4. Lily says

    December 13, 2016 at 10:41 am

    How did I miss this post? I just used up my Deciem Vitamin C and was going to repurchase. You convinced me with this, but it’s not available at Strawberrynet at the moment! Aah! I’m also curious how The Ordinary compares. Have you tried?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      January 4, 2017 at 11:04 am

      You can get it off http://www.kensapothecary.com.my! 😉 I’m just almost done with this one, and while I have The Ordinary vitamin c on standby, I am planning to repurchase this one because it’s so good!

      Reply
  5. Jubs says

    February 23, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    I am using Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C Serum 21.5. So far so good! I feel like it’s helping to reduce marks left from acne. I read that we are supposed to use Vitamin C as the first step because of its low pH levels and leave it for at least half an hour before applying the next step. Do you do that? I normally don’t have time in the morning so I don’t wait half an hour (more like 30 seconds).

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      February 27, 2017 at 11:51 am

      Hi Jubs, no I don’t wait to be honest. I just apply this on (it absorbs quickly) and usually the next thing to go on is my moisturiser and then sunscreen. I don’t have time nor patience to wait either 😛

      Reply
  6. Nur Fadhillah Aziz says

    June 1, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Hi. I was trawling for a review on Vitamin C serum and found your post. Thanks for a great review. Would you mind sharing what moisturizer and toner you use together with this serum? Many thanks!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      June 1, 2018 at 2:23 pm

      Hi do note that this particular product may be discontinued so you might have to look for other brands. That said, I use it with any moisturiser that I”m using that particular day, although I am careful not to mix retinol or glycolic acids with Vitamin C 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lyana says

    December 23, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    I recently purchased a bottle and I’m loving it 🙂
    By the way, is the serum supposed to smell a bit sourish when sniffed up close? I recently left it accidentally in my car’s trunk ( inside my luggage) where it might have been exposed to some heat. Being the paranoid girl I am I googled for signs that ur vit c serum has gone bad. some says ur serum is supposed to be odourless. I never sniffed it up close before so im not very sure. The colour has not changed though. Any thoughts on this?

    Thanks in advance!:)

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      December 24, 2018 at 10:13 am

      Hi Lyana, I’m afraid it’s been a little long since I last used this one, so I can’t remember if there is a smell. Different types of Vitamin C serums have different scents – some smell metallic, some are scented. The one sure way to tell if it’s gone bad is if the colour changes, and deepens which it will over time and with exposure to air. So I think yours should be OK for now. Maybe you can keep it in the fridge to prolong its shelf life as some people do 🙂

      Reply

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My Women Stuff by Paris B

Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. What you shouldn't expect is a page filled with unnecessary narcissistic photos. MWS is a blog for those who love to read, because we love to write! Read More about MWS and Paris B

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