Absolutely blown away by the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum – you’d be too!

Let me preface this by saying that I haven’t used a Vitamin C serum in about 3, or maybe even 4, months. So, I’m quite primed to notice any difference in my skin when I reintroduce this star ingredient into my skincare routine with the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum.

I try to mention things like this, because my personal belief is that it’s impossible for every new product you add into your routine to make your skin better each time. At some point, it will reach its optimum, and it then becomes maintenance.

When I popped open this new tube of the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum, it was quite an exciting thing for me haha! 😀 I haven’t been excited about new skincare for a while!

There are a few unique points about this product that I found interesting, and also to watch out for (so you don’t make the mistakes I did!) and I think these unique factors help this product be a better one. Let me explain 😉

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

Cerave is a brand of skincare products developed with dermatologists, and enriched with a blend of three essential ceramides (ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II), fatty acids, and other lipids to help repair and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. Their focus was on the strengthening and protection of the skin barrier. Once your skin barrier is repaired and stronger, you are better equipped to battle other issues like dryness or acne.

The CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight serum formulated with 10% Vitamin C in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid, which is the most effective and purest form of Vitamin C you can get. However, as regular users of L-Ascorbic Acid will know, this is also one of the most unstable forms of Vitamin C, which oxidises quickly when exposed to air. Fortunately, the packaging, which is one of the unique points about this product, helps with this! I’ll elaborate below.

Vitamin C, as most of us know by now is an antioxidant that brightens skin tone, strengthens skin, and gives you a more even skin tone.

The other key ingredients in the serum are ceramides that restore and strengthen the skin barrier, Vitamin B5 to soothe skin and Hyaluronic Acid to help skin retain moisture.

It does sound pretty impressive on paper, truth be told!

Unique metal tube packaging

The unique metal tube packaging threw me for a loop the first time I opened the box. It is reminiscent of toothpaste tubes or medical ointments and I wasn’t used to seeing it in a skincare product. Very often, Vitamin C serums are very liquid and come in dropper bottles or airless pump bottles. The only other Vitamin C serum I’ve experienced in a tube is the Melano CC Brightening Essence (which I incidentally love!).

The tube comes sealed when you first receive it, which I like. This ensures that the contents are kept in airless suspension until such time that you pierce the opening (which you can do with the cap). Then, screw the cap on rightly.

Here’s where you shouldn’t make the same mistake I did.

Do note that the cap, which is a slim cone shape, comes with a twist-off second half. I did not realise this, and was twisting off the whole cap each time I used it (which was silly). Once I realised that there was another bit I could screw off, it made far better sense. It’s just so well-designed that you don’t notice the mini cap LOL! 😛

But as I said, I like the idea of using a metal tube for the packaging. It should keep the contents fresher for longer, and prevent the contents from oxidising as there is very little to no exposure to air.

Lightweight emulsion texture

The texture was the other thing that surprised me. As I have observed, most Vitamin C serums come in a very liquid form e.g. Timeless Vitamin C & E, so I’m quite used to a very liquid Vitamin C serum.

This one, as you may notice from the photos, has a more emulsion-like texture. It is very lightweight, and it sinks right into the skin when you apply it.

There is no fragrance, and only a hint of a scent to it.

It isn’t greasy going on the skin, sinking into the skin very nicely. There is no residue, and it just feels very comfortable.

Noticeable evening and brightening of skin tone

As I noted right at the top, I have not been using a Vitamin C serum for 3-4 months. During this time, I went through very bad maskne (which may not have been maskne!), and I spend time out in the sun in the mornings. My skin was looking dull, my pigmentation spots were more noticeable, and my skin tone was a little darker from all the sun exposure.

Yes, of course I use sunscreen (only a mineral one for outdoor use please) but what sunscreen does is protect your skin from UV rays, not stop you from getting darker 😛

I went in without expectations, but it’s just been about 3 weeks, and I have to say that I’m impressed.

My skin tone is noticeably even and brighter. I’m still about a half shade of foundation deeper than I used to be, but it isn’t patchy or dull or sallow.

Maskne marks around my chin and mouth area have lightened very quickly and you’d barely even notice them anymore.

My pigmentation marks are still there (of course!) but they too are less noticeable. It was significant, and I noticed it primarily because I’d realised what a toll the sun on my morning walks had taken on my skin.

I started out using it twice a day the first 1.5 weeks, but now only use it in the morning. I have to say that I’m very happy with it, and it is definitely one I’m going to keep in my arsenal, and you might want to too! 😉

IN A NUTSHELL

The CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight serum with 10% Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin B5, Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides. It acts as an antioxidant, evens and brightens skin tone, strengthens skin barrier and soothes skin. I can happily vouch for it all. It has noticeably evened and brightened my skin tone, and I don’t break out as much. My pigmentation appears a little lighter, and my skin just generally looks better. It isn’t so prone to redness in the heat which is great! The metal tube packaging keeps the product from oxidising more quickly, and keeps it fresher for longer. All in all, a really nice product, if not the most sexy looking or most photogenic 😛

PROS:
Packaging is well thought out to prevent oxidisation
Lightweight texture sinks easily into skin
L-Ascorbic Acid is very effective
Non greasy and not irritating
Skin tone is noticeably brighter and more even
Skin does not flush easily in the heat

CONS:
None

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an effective Vitamin C serum that comes in good packaging to prevent oxidization

PRICE: RM149 (currently on sale for RM109) | US$24.99 for 30ml

WHERE TO BUY: Threebs website (MY), Ulta Beauty, Target

For those interested, the ingredients list for the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C is as below.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Edta, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin (Code F.I.L. D231277/1)

Have you tried the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C or anything from CeraVe?

I must say that I’ve been happy with the products I’ve tried from the brand so far. It was quite hard to get here in Malaysia but it’s now conveniently available online at Threebs, which also carries other brands of skincare. I’m happiest with the fact they carry CeraVe though, because that means I can now try other products from the line! 😀

Paris B

Disclosure: Featured products were press samples by the store for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.