Homemade Vitamin C Serum

Published: Feb 27, 2023 · Modified: Sep 26, 2024 by Lauren Goslin · This post may contain affiliate links · 113 Comments

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This Homemade Vitamin C Serum is one of the best skin care treatments I've ever made, both for my skin AND my wallet! It costs pennies to make compared to the high end brands, and it works just as well.

Amber dropper bottle surrounded by cut lemons.

Vitamin C serums are highly coveted by people of all ages.

They are known to boost collagen production in the skin, making it more plump and dewy, erase signs of premature aging, heal acne, even out skin tone, and neutralize free radicals.

Some beauty brands charge anywhere from $30 to $100 for a 1-2 ounce bottle, and I'm going to show you how to make your own for pennies!

Let's begin by looking at what you need to get started.

Ingredients needed

Vitamin C powder, jojoba oil, pink spoon, and white ramekin on a pink background.

1. L-ascorbic acid

This is obviously the most crucial ingredient, so it is important to buy a good, reputable brand.

Though it appears that L-ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid are chemically identical, most high-end manufacturers use the L-ascorbic acid.

After much research, I have found this brand, and it's reasonably priced!

2. Water

There are two important qualities the water should have.

One, it should be distilled, which means it doesn't contain any minerals or metals. This is to avoid interfering with the effectiveness of the vitamin C.

Number two, the water should be room temperature (or slightly warmer). I've read anything above 190 degrees will destroy or destabilize the vitamin C, as that is its melting point.

Having the water at a tepid temperature will aid with mixing the serum. Otherwise, it may be difficult to get the tiny crystals to dissolve.

Most grocery stores sell gallon jugs of distilled water for $1-2.

3. Serum base

Many opt to use vegetable glycerin for this step, but I personally like using jojoba oil.

Jojoba oil is chemically comparable with the human sebum, which makes it able to mimic the mechanisms of sebum and how it helps keep the skin healthy.

This is a great brand and one of the most popular on Amazon.

If you prefer to use vegetable glycerin, just substitute it in place of the jojoba oil in the recipes below.

4. Glass or plastic utensils

I mix everything in a small glass ramekin and usually use my finger or a plastic spoon to stir the mixture.

This is a precaution, as metals can destroy the effectiveness of vitamin C.

5. Amber glass dropper

Vitamin C is very sensitive to air and light, so, unless you make a fresh batch daily, you'll want to store your serum in a tinted bottle.

I really like these particular bottles because both the bottle itself and the dropper are made of glass.

I've also used an old herbal tincture bottle, which I cleaned thoroughly with hot water.

6. Vitamin E oil (optional)

Vitamin C and vitamin E work synergistically, and vitamin E is very moisturizing, so I like to add a drop or two to my serum formulation, but it is completely optional.

The brand linked in the heading is derived from soy, but if you're worried about allergies, this vitamin E oil is from sunflower seeds.

You can also use olive or argan oil, as they both also contain vitamin E.

7. Ferulic acid (optional)

Ferulic acid itself is an antioxidant and is touted to boost the effect of other antioxidants, namely vitamin C.

While I haven't tried adding ferulic acid to my serum, it is said to help stabilize the vitamin C, making it degrade less quickly.

There is a moderate allergy risk with using this ingredient, which is the main reason I've steered clear. I like my serum as simple as possible, and what I'm making is working.

If you'd prefer to extend the life of your serum, this may be an ingredient worth considering!

8. pH strips (optional)

Though I've not personally tested my serum, I wanted to include this step here.

In order for the serum to be 'effective', the pH of the solution (recipe below) should be between about 3.5 on a pH strip (a bit less is okay).

This is when it is able to penetrate the skin cells on your face.

If your serum pH level begins to rise or it turns yellow-ish, toss it out because it is oxidizing. An oxidized serum will cause free radical damage, not prevent it.

If the pH is lower than 3, it can be irritating to the skin, causing redness and dryness. I've been fine just using a little trial and error to figure this out, though I am considering purchasing the strips to be more accurate.

How to make your own customized vitamin C serum

If this is your first time using any type of acidic face treatment, you may want to start off slowly with a 5% solution.

Most top vitamin C serum producers are somewhere in the 15-20% range, but you can easily work your way up using the following recipes.

1. 5% Solution

1/4 teaspoon L-ascorbic acid
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
4 1/4 teaspoon distilled water (make sure it is distilled, as the naturally occurring minerals in purified water can interfere with your serum's effectiveness)

2. 10% Solution

1/4 teaspoon L-ascorbic acid
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
1 3/4 teaspoon distilled water

3. 15% Solution

3/8 teaspoon L-ascorbic acid
1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil
2 1/4 teaspoon distilled water

4. 20% Solution

1/4 teaspoon L-ascorbic acid
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
1/2 teaspoon distilled water

I like to put the ingredients into a glass ramekin and use my finger to mix everything together. That way, I can feel when the crystals have dissolved.

Alternatively, you can mix the serums with a plastic or glass utensil.

I like to use this a few times a week, either in the morning or at night, depending on the rest of my regimen.

Optional add-ins

Add in a drop or two of vitamin E oil to any of the above.
Alter the oil and water amounts to your liking, but be sure to keep the total amount of liquid the same or the potency percentage will be incorrect. More oil = more serum-like.
Eliminate the oil altogether and just use water and vitamin C. You can follow it up with a moisturizer once the vitamin C mixture has dried.

Important notes

The higher the oil to water ratio, the more 'serum-like' the formula will be. For example, the 20% solution will be more viscous than the 5% solution, which contains more water and, thus, will be more watery.
Shake well before each use to re-distribute the vitamin C.
Do NOT use with copper peptides at the same time, as they cancel out the serum's effects.
Make a new batch every 3 days for maximum freshness and bioavailability, as it degrades quickly. You can test this either with a pH strip (if your level is above 3.5, toss it) or by color (it should NOT be yellow).

The serum can be a bit irritating upon first using it, as it is acidic.

Be sure to allow the serum to dry and dissolve into your skin, and then follow up with a moisturizer. This will aid in preventing dryness and, subsequently, blackheads!

Various sites purport that vitamin C stays in your skin for up to three days. That being said, it may not be necessary to use it every day (I don't!), but let your own skin and experience be your guide.

How to store

There are some who keep their serum bottles in the refrigerator to preserve it longer (up to a week). If you choose to do this, take your amber bottle with the homemade serum in it, wrap it in tin foil, and place it in the fridge.

My preference is to just keep my homemade serum in the amber bottle in my bathroom cupboard.

Whatever you decide, be sure to keep the serum away from unnecessary air and light exposure.

Tinted dropper on a doily with lemons nearby.

Final thoughts

I know it sounds complicated, but it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it, and the reward will be a super cheap serum that will make your skin GLOW like nothing else.

I have seen a massive improvement in my skin tone. After just a few days of using my homemade version, my skin has become brighter, clearer, and more even-toned. I've even noticed some old acne scars diminishing!

Happy skin, happy wallet!

Comments

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)