It’s been a little while since I last talked to you about Vitamin C serums. The last one I used and featured is, I believe, the Obagi C10 serum which I absolutely loved! I used it up to the very last drop, but when the opportunity arose for me to get a new bottle, I balked.
I want to be good about using up my Vitamin C serums. I swear by them, the way some people swear by their plastic surgeon LOL! Instead of getting a new bottle of Obagi C10, I broke out one I’d been keeping for a while – the Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum.
It’s quite a mouthful, so I’ll call it the Timeless Vitamin C serum, for ease of reference. At present, Timeless Skincare only makes 1 Vitamin C serum, so it’s not that confusing 😛
I was actually very excited to try this one, because SO MANY PEOPLE have pushed it at me. “Try the Timeless Vit C, PB! You’ll love it! It’s so effective!” That’s about the gist of it.
One memorable comment from a long-time reader made me laugh. She said that it brightened her skin tone so much, she shocked herself when she looked in the mirror as she looked ethereal! LOL! I had to check out Casper for myself 😀
Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum – What is it?
What is this Timeless Vitamin C serum then?
Timeless Skincare hails from the USA, and is in fact, quite an affordable range of targeted skincare products. The affordable price tag will please many of you I know 🙂
The Vitamin C serum is formulated with 20% L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) which is quite a high concentration. For this reason, if you are brand new to using Vitamin C serums, I don’t recommend you dive straight in at the deep end. Start with something more gentle first (the Melano CC essence is a good place to start) then progress onwards to the 10%, 15% and then 20% to allow your skin to get accustomed to it.
Timeless also included Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid into their formula, to help boost luminosity and reduce signs of aging. What I understand also is that Ferulic Acid also helps to boost the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and E and helps the product stay stable for longer. This is because L-Ascorbic Acid is a notoriously unstable ingredient that oxidises quickly in the air.
This Timeless Vitamin C is also popularly referred to as a dupe for the much more expensive Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum, which I haven’t tried, but hope to one day!
Packaging
The Timeless Vitamin C serum comes in a dark blue bottle with a dropper. The dark blue bottle helps protect the contents better.
However, because you open the bottle every time you dispense the product, air will get in and eventually your product will oxidise. That said however, I have yet to come across a Vitamin C serum in an airless pump packaging. The closest I’ve come to a product that promises fresher delivery each time is the Clinique Fresh-pressed Vitamin C serum.
A note of warning!
While it sounds ominous, I must put here a word of warning to anyone wanting to buy and use this Timeless Vitamin C serum.
Please buy only when you intend to use it almost immediately. I speak from experience.
You see, not only does the Vitamin C serum oxidise on contact with the air, the Timeless Vitamin C serum also degrades quite quickly even when stored. I believe it is to do with heat as well. It is for this reason that Timeless makes their Vitamin C fresh from time to time, so you can be sure that you get a fresh bottle each time you purchase, thereby prolonging its lifespan.
I bought my first bottle from the Timeless Skincare website when they were running a sale. It was a painless shopping experience. However, when it arrived, I was still using other Vitamin C serums so I stored it in my skincare cupboard. It is a dark cupboard in my room that’s relatively cool.
However, a few months later when I took it out to use, I saw that the contents were a deep yellow. That is a sure sign that it had oxidised. I was terribly upset, because this was a brand new bottle!
So I immediately contacted the local distributor for Timeless Skincare – Worthee Cosmetics – and asked about the freshness of their stock. They were upfront with me about the dates of manufacture (it is printed on all the boxes) and I appreciated their quick response.
For this reason, and this reason only, I recommend purchasing Timeless Vitamin C from a local distributor – you are assured of fresh stock that will be delivered to you in the shortest possible time, spending the least amount of travel time in the heat and sun. Also, if you find that the contents aren’t fresh, you can immediately revert to them with your comments and seek a replacement.
This is how my Timeless Vitamin C serum looks now. I’ve been using it for about a month, and I am careful to keep it in its box, in my darkened room away from heat and sunlight. Some people keep it in the fridge to make it last longer. It still looks the same as the day I got it – a little cloudy.
Reports are that the Timeless Vitamin C serum will oxidise more quickly than other serums so it is a point to note to be a little more careful with it, and, as I will share with you below, to use it more generously – it is actually more effective that way!
How I use the Timeless Vitamin C Serum
Edited to add this, thanks to a note from a reader 🙂
I use about 6-10 drops of the Timeless Vitamin C serum as part of my morning/daytime routine. Sometimes, I use it at night as well.
How I use:
Cleanse -> Mist -> Timeless Vitamin C -> Mist -> Hydrating Serum -> Mist -> Moisturiser -> Sunscreen
Note: I mist multiple times as part of my moisture sandwich Helpful for dry or dehydrated skin types
Timeless recommends on the box, that you use their product as part of your night routine. Most Vitamin C serums recommend this. However, I use it in the day, as I had read a while ago, that because Vitamin C is supposed to be an antioxidant, and we are faced with the most stresses, pollution and oxidants in the day time (when you’re outside and exposed to the environment etc) it is more effective to use it in the day. It is also supposed to boost the efficacy of sunscreen.
You can use it both day and night, but I use other products like acids, retinol or other actives at night, so I’d much rather keep them separate as they cannot mix.
Whether you choose to use it day or night, be sure to always wear a good high UV protection sunscreen in the day time. But then, you already do that, don’t you? If my nagging has any effect that is… 😉
What did the Timeless Vitamin C Serum do for me?
The first few times I was using it, I used about 3-4 drops. I give the bottle a little shake (it’s recommended) and then I pick up a dropper full of product, quickly open the bottle, drop a few drops in my palm and close it back as quickly as I can.
The texture is quite watery and quite literally feels like water on the skin. I found that the serum will almost immediately sink right into the skin, which is great for those who don’t like having any skincare residue on their skin.
About 2 weeks in, I noticed that the product level had barely dropped, and I was paranoid LOL! 😀 I really did not want this serum to oxidise before I’m done with it!
So, I did the next most rational thing. I upped my dosage. I now use 6-7 drops of product with each use, which is almost (but not quite) a full dropper. However, my skin still drank it all up! It feels like nothing going on your skin and although there is a slight metallic scent, like most Vitamin C serums do, it isn’t unpleasant.
Interestingly however, it was when I increased the product that I started noticing more significant results. Before this, my skin looked fairly even-toned, and I’d peer at myself each time thinking “My skin isn’t looking that much brighter at all!”
Now, about 3 weeks in of using 6-7 drops (almost) every morning, I must say that I am noticing a discernible brightening of my skin tone. I still have my pigmentation, but it almost seems like I need less concealer. My skin tone looks more even in general, and brighter. It’s like dialing up the brightness filter on your favourite photo-editing software LOL! 😀
I have been quite fortunate that in my dotage, pimples and acne have finally left me at peace *touchwood* so I cannot vouch for lightening of post-inflammation acne marks. My acne scars are ancient, and will likely remain (laser isn’t an option right now – I’ll explain in a different post) but from a skin tone and texture point of view, I’m very happy with it.
I will also note that although I have skin that tends to be dry, I do not find the product drying. I find it comfortable, but it must also be said that I am big on hydration in my skincare routine, and drench my skin with both the moisture sandwich technique, and hydrating lotions/serums and moisturisers. So, perhaps it cancels it out, or perhaps it even makes it work more efficiently. I’m not scientist enough to tell you – but whatever it is, I’m very happy with how my skin looks right now with my current skincare routine.
Do you need the Timeless Vitamin C Serum?
If you are a fiend for Vitamin C serums as I am, yes.
If you want an affordable Vitamin C serum that is comfortable on skin, and very effective at brightening your skin tone and maybe even reducing the appearance of dark spots (sun spots primarily) then, yes.
If you aren’t prepared to be generous with your use of the product, then no. The reason is because it will oxidise fairly quickly, and you are recommended to use it up within 3 months. So, I suggest that you buy this only when you need it, and from a local distributor, not online from too far away. When you get it, be generous with your use.
I will finish this bottle, but I will take a break thereafter. I have a policy of not using products that are too intensive for too long. So I might drop back down to a 10% Vitamin C serum for a while for “maintenance” before going for a “boost” again later. But I know I will return to this one eventually.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum is a very effective, lightweight Vitamin C serum that absorbs very easily and quickly into the skin. It has a texture like water that is comfortable and does not leave a residue on skin. I do find that 6-7 drops of product gives skin a boost, and you will notice a significant brightening of your skin tone. That is quite impressive, coming from someone who regularly uses Vitamin C serums. I don’t recommend hoarding this, as I found that it oxidises even though stored in a dark place. Perhaps it will last longer in the fridge, but for me, it isn’t practical. If it is for you, then please go right ahead. But this is a very good, high potency Vitamin C serum to try, that is chockfull of good ingredients, and for a lovely wallet-friendly price!
PROS:
Very high percentage of Vitamin C
Good mixture of ingredients to combat aging
Very effective at skin brightening
Very lightweight watery textureCONS:
Can oxidise quickly even when storedWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone looking for an effective and affordable Vitamin C serum, Anyone who enjoys using Vitamin C serums
PRICE: RM135 | US$25.95 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Worthee Cosmetics (MY), Timeless Skincare website, From personal experience, I recommend buying from a local distributor to minimize travel time and exposure to heat which can cause product to degrade more quickly
This is the ingredients list for the Timeless Vitamin C Serum.
Ingredients: Water, Ethoxydiglycol (penetration enhancer), L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C/skin brightening), Propylene Glycol (hydration), Alpha Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Polysorbate 80 (stabilizer), Panthenol (vitamin B5/hydration), Ferulic Acid (antioxidant), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration), Benzylalcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid (antimicrobial agents).
Have you tried this Timeless Vitamin C serum? Anything else from Timeless Skincare worth trying?
I see that they have a hyaluronic acid serum as well, and I love hyaluronic acid serums, so that’s the next thing I’m going to try! 😀 Let me know if you love this Vitamin C serum as much as I do!
Paris B
This post came at the perfect time. I just finished the Melano CC essence over the weekend and was looking around for the next one to try.
After reading this, I immediately placed an order. Here’s hoping that it’ll work for me too!
Thanks Paris for a great review, as always.
I hope you’ll like this Fatimah! You might find it to work more effectively than the Melano CC because of the higher Vit C content, but I’d be interested to know how you like it once you try it! 🙂
LOL! #terkejut
This is a staple for me and I keep it in the fridge. So far, that has worked very well and the stuff is still crystal clear 2 months after opening the current bottle. But I did have the same experience as you of getting worried because the level of the serum was taking it’s own sweet time in dropping. Upped the dosage to 8-10 drops per use and that feels comfortable on my skin. But I should add that I only use this thrice a week.
Haha! I remembered you telling me about this! LOL! 😀 I think keeping it in the fridge is really the best solution but I’m really so lazy about trotting off to the fridge to get my skincare 😛 Haven’t yet graduated to keeping a bar fridge in the room LOL! I did also want to see how it’d perform if I didn’t, and it seems OK. But I’m quite kiasu, so I keep peering at it every time I use, and try to be as quick about dispensing it as possible haha! I’m so used to using a Vit C serum now, I feel a bit lost if I don’t use it in the day LOL! Otherwise, 3 times a week for “maintenance” is pretty good. Helps stretch its use for longer too.
Hi I just pre-ordered one bottle of 30 ML Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum,yet to receive my stock.I would like to know how effective it is on old acne scars.Will it fade or remove old pitted acne scars?Thank you for your feedback.
Hi, it will help to reduce redness and potentially fade scars. It will not however help with pitted acne scars, which I also have. Those can reduce and even out with age and time, or perhaps with some aesthetics treatments, not over the counter topical products.
Hehe, I too just placed an order , hope this one can surpass my fav Skinceutical CE FERULIC which carries steeper price. Btw, i saw the dermaroller on the same site which claim to enhance the result of products to improve scars, wrinkles so on. Paris, whats your take on the dermaroller ?
Oh I do hope you’ll like this Stephanie, and maybe you can let me know how it compares to Skinceuticals too! I have heard so much about it, but haven’t tried it yet because it’s terribly pricey. As for the dermaroller, I’m afraid I’m not for it, personally speaking. I feel it to be too invasive and potentially dangerous for use on your own at home, because of the needles. Also, because it is needles that poke into the skin, it is absolutely essential to keep the roller properly sanitized, and to be honest, I’m not sure I can do that properly. So, if I were to try something like this, I’d do it at a clinic, under medical supervision (so I have someone to blame if it goes wrong LOL!) but for home devices or gadgets, I’d stick to the non-invasive types. That’s just me though 🙂
I’m happy with your recommendation of Melanoma CC Lotion and Essence. They work very well when I alternate with glycolic acid for my night time routine.
Looking forward to try out Timeless Vit C Serum as oh my the price is amazing compared to other brands.
Can you also review Retinol A? Thank you, Paris.
I’m trying out different retinol/Vitamin A serums for now, and the results aren’t as noticeable so I do find it harder to “review” rather than to just talk about. I think if I had more lines or deeper lines, it might make it easier LOL! But I’ll definitely feature them as I go. I think thus far, I’ve featured the Mad Hippie Vitamin A which is quite mild and nice, and also the Elizabeth Arden capsules. Also mild. I’m starting slow and building it up as I go, as it can be quite a harsh ingredient. If you do try Timeless Vit C, I hope it’ll work for you. You may notice a more marked result as compared to Melano CC as I think the latter has lower L-ascorbic acid percentage, but it is much better packaged!
I really like the Paula’s Choice C15 Serum because of the updated bottle, it stays fresh much longer, but is also pricey.. Also I think 15% Vitamin C is good for beginners
I haven’t tried the new packaging for Paula’s Choice, but I remember trying the old version and it was good, I agree. I know some people are a little more sensitive, so I think 10% is a better place to start for those with very sensitive skin, but for someone without, then whack on the 20%! haha
As a Vitamin C serum in an airless pump packaging, I can recommend Drunk Elephant, it is excellent. It’s a yellow color to start out with, which makes some dislike it (oxidized it turns brown). 🙂
Is there scientific evidence for your policy to take a break from stronger actives?
I built my skin’ tolerance and use pretty strong actives all the time. It’s like sports training, if you want to keep a certain level, you have to keep training.
Ooh I’ve read so many mixed reviews on the Drunk Elephant Vitamin C serum! Some people say it oxidises too quickly and others that it irritates their skin. But I am curious about the brand for sure! Their retinol too 🙂 And no, there is no scientific evidence for my not wanting to be on strong actives all the time. It is just me 🙂 I understand where you’re coming from, and knowing your background, I’d definitely encourage people to adopt your approach. It’s just from my personal point of view, that I like mixing it up so my skin can “take a break” as it were. Even athletes need a break now and again 😉 But if I were aiming for a particular targeted result e.g. erasing sun spots, lightening lines and wrinkles, firming skin etc then I’d take your approach. But when I’m going for maintenance, I like to “slack off” now and again 🙂 Again, just anecdotal, and purely personal.
So glad our findings are pretty similar. 🙂 I’ve reviewed this on my website too. The only difference I guess is how I find the formulation very stable. It remained clear even after 6 months. But I did store it in the fridge lah.
Storing it in the fridge definitely makes a difference, because it will help it stay fresh for longer. I personally don’t simply because I know that if I do, I’d never make the trek out to the fridge to get it when I need it, and I’d end up using something else within reach LOL! I haven’t yet graduated to having a bar fridge in my room for my skincare 😛
My fav Vitamin C serum! I have post acne hyperpigmentation issue, some spot took 1 year to completely vanish before I use this serum. I think I’m on my 3rd bottle already and I’m about to order my 4th now. I use 10 drops almost every morning (some days I’m just lazy esp if it’s Sunday) and 1 bottle lasted me about 3.5-4 months. My 1st bottle turned yellowish by the end of month 4. I bought my 2nd & 3rd bottle together because of the cheaper price for preorder (crazy to stock up, I know), but I store them in the fridge in their boxes. What I did was, I bought a 5ml dropper bottle from Magic Boo and transfered the serum into it. That’s the bottle I keep in my bedroom, away from sunlight and I only refill it once the serum is finished. I’m at the end of my 3rd bottle which I bought about 7-8 months ago, still clear just a little cloudy. Oh yes, I live in the scorching hot KL. just sharing my tips if anybody could benefit from it. Great post as usual Paris!
Yay, thanks for sharing Amy, and for your hack to keep the product fresher for longer too! I’m up to about 10 drops now each morning and I swear that it does make a difference. With the heatwave we’re experiencing I might have to stick mine in the fridge. Afraid that it’ll go bad before I’m done!
I so love this Vitamin C because I saw the effects only after 2 weeks of usage by using 2-3 drops each time in the morning but it oxides so quickly. Boohoo. I stored my bottle in a darkened cupboard so I was surprise when it turned slightly yellow. So I quickly stored it in my fridge as suggested by some of the reviewers on Worthee Cosmetic website. I actually left two reviews on the Worthee Cosmetic website (giving it only 3 stars due to the product oxidising so fast) but funny thing is that the website seemed to have stop publishing reviews since last October which means my review was not published. Strange. Anway, do buy this product when it goes on sale – I bought mine for RM99 which I thought was a steal for Vitamin C product. Hope to buy this again when it goes on sale. Thanks again for the review 🙂
Hello Victoria! Sincerest thanks for the kind feedback. We received over ten thousand spam reviews in the past few months. Our tech team rescued some of the authentic reviews, but not all. We appreciate if you could share your thoughts on the Timeless 20% Vitamin CEF Serum again on our website. Rest assured that we publish all genuine reviews regardless of the rating! Authenticity, integrity and transparency are values of the utmost importance at WortheeC 😉
This product is truly truly effective! I admit I was quite blown away by it, and am very happy that it’s also worked out so well for so many people! It’s also relatively affordable, which I like, as I go through it quite quickly. I think it’s time to up the dosage because 2-3 drops will most certainly make it last too long haha! 😀 But keeping it in the fridge, and decanting small portions as you use it up seems to help, as suggested by Amy 🙂 And I did not know that it goes on sale! Oh my for that price, it’s a steal! So you bet I’ll definitely be picking it up at sale time 😀
p/s I think Worthee has addressed your concerns re: the reviews.
This was the first vitamin c serum that I used and I loved it! In hindsight it’s probably too much for a first-time vitamin c user (it did sting a bit) but it’s the first skincare product I have used that delivered such noticeable improvement in my skin. The problem was it was a pain to have it shipped to Japan, and I assume it would be an even bigger pain here in Manila. I do hope to get back to it again sometime in the future!
Thank you for sharing Bev, especially for sharing your experience as a first time user of Vit C too! The Timeless website does ship worldwide (for a fee) and I noticed that it’s also being sold on Shopee in the Phillippines so perhaps that might be an option for you to reacquaint yourself with this serum 🙂
I remember it took around two to three months for the order to arrive in Japan from the United States (our order took a detour to Canada for some reason, lol). I’m very very wary about Customs here in the Philippines, so I’ll look into Shopee. Thanks for the heads up!
Hi PB. I’m new in the world of vitamin C serum. Can you perhaps share on how to layer acids with vitamin C or what is the best skincare practice if you used AHA, BHA, retinol (currently i rotate them on daily basis) and want to incorporate vitamin C into that routine?
Hi there! Gosh, I’m afraid I’m no expert in this area of mixing skincare, and I do recommend checking in with the experts on this. For myself, as Vit C and Retinol aren’t supposed to be used together, I use Vitamin C in the morning routine, and Retinol in the night. It makes sense this way, as you’re supposed to stay out of the sun when using retinol. Also, I had read that Vit C protects skin from pollution and oxidative stress, and you don’t get more stress than that in the day.
As for using acids like AHA and BHA, it is recommended not to use it together with retinol, so alternating its use as you do seems to be the best way to go about it. In your case, I’d slip in the Vit C in the morning routine, and call it a day 🙂
Hi, how do you compare obagi vs timesless vs skinceuticals vs nufountain vitamin C?
Have you had any experience using Maelove?
Read that its glowmaker is a new cult but it is so difficult to get from Malaysia.
Thanks
Hi Joy, I’m afraid I haven’t tried MaeLove nor Glowmaker (haven’t come across it before till now!)
To answer your question, I’d pick Obagi C (the Japanese version) over Timeless in terms of efficacy and how well it’s preserved. However, Timeless is more affordable and easier to get hold of vs Obagi C. I haven’t tried Skinceuticals nor Nufountain, and therefore cannot compare, sorry! 🙂
I noticed that Timeless Vitamin C serum is now in airless pumps! 😀 I thought you might want to know since you mentioned the air getting into the serum as a possible issue.
Thank you! Yes, I should update my photos and review haha
I’ve just hit 21 , can I use this timeless 20 percent vit c serum?
Yes you can.
Wonderful review of this serum! Sounds really good. I like that it absorbs well and has a lightweight consistency. Too bad it’s not available in the UK site right now.
-Ledia
A friend asked me about this, and I noticed it was out of stock on the UK site too. Can you purchase from the US site?