‘This new vitamin C serum is the only one that doesn't irritate my problem skin'
'I've been testing out this new skin-brightening vitamin C serum for months and can confirm it's a game-changer for blemish-prone skin like mine,' says our beauty editor
Skin experts agree that vitamin C is one of the best skincare ingredients you can add to your routine, proven to be effective at brightening and evening the skin, defending against future damage, and tackling other signs of ageing. Vitamin C serums and creams, though, aren't always tolerated well by all skin types, including sensitive or spot-prone complexions – both of which apply to me. However, I've been testing Medik8's brand new serum, and it's a game-changer for problem skin like mine.
Medik8 already makes a few hugely popular vitamin C serums, including the original C-Tetra (a longtime favourite with beauty editors) and C-Tetra Luxe (which has a richer texture). However, both of these are oil-based consistencies, which can block pores in blemish-prone – something I've certainly found in the past. Now Medik8 has just launched its C-Tetra Advanced serum, priced at £69, an effective formula containing 20% stabilised vitamin C in a gel-serum texture, designed to get visibly brighter skin and reduced wrinkles in just seven days.
I received a bottle of Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced a few weeks ago ahead of its launch and I've been using it almost every morning since. I was a little dubious about trying it as Medik8's existing vitamin Cs haven't been right for me, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this one; the formula is like a very light, runny cream instead of an oil, sinks into skin quickly, and layers brilliantly with my other skincare and make-up products (I currently follow it with Medik8's brilliant Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and my favourite Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral SKINSCREEN).
It did give a slight immediate brightening and evening out effect to my face, but it was about about a week of using it that I really started to notice a difference: my skin felt my much softer and smoother, looked generally more healthy, and my foundation looked fresher and less patchy. I didn't also get any breakouts or irritation (use it every other day at first if you're unsure).
Of course, other factors may have affected this result, but I'm thrilled to have finally found a high-performance vitamin C serum that suits my skin.
One point I'd flag is that it's not as hydrating as soon of my other favourite serums; usually I can go straight from serum to SPF in the mornings, but using this, I do need to apply a moisturiser in between. For this reason I think that this new launch is best for those with combination-to-oily skin, while anyone with dry skin should probably go for one of Medik8's other vitamin Cs (there's a handy tool on the website to help you to decide which is right for you).
C-Tetra Advanced is also quite highly fragranced (probably because vitamin C doesn't usually smell very pleasant); this isn't something I have an issue with, but if you're skin is very sensitive to scent, you may want to go for something like CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum, £29.
If you're looking for more alternatives, Facetheory Glow-C Vitamin C 20% Serum contains the same level of vitamin C (20%) but even cheaper at £23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Save 15% on the overnight anti-aging miracle worker that reduces wrinkles in just seven DAYS - and that Dua Lipa swears by for flawless skin
'Beauty sleep' is a real thing. Your skin works hardest overnight to repair and renew itself, shedding dead cells as it replenishes. Naturally, a good night cream can have a dramatic effect on that vital process, leaving your skin soft and smooth by morning. If you're looking for something that plumps up your complexion while locking in moisture and smoothing away lines, you could find just what you need in the Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Signature Night Cream. When you order now through June 30, 2025, you can get 15 percent off when you enter DAILY15 at checkout. Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Signature Night Cream Transform your skin overnight with the multifaceted skin cream that's so nourishing and effective, it's been shown to visibly reduce even stubborn wrinkles in just one week. It's a powerhouse that drenches dry skin with lasting moisture while plumping and firming, leaving skin looking more youthful than ever. Enter code DAILY15 to save 15 percent on your purchase through June 30, 2025. Save 15% Shop See the difference: Within just a week, users in a consumer trial reported a visible reduction in even the most stubborn lines and wrinkles Rarely does a formula work as quickly — or as effectively — as Medik8's night cream. This widely beloved product boasts over 2,700 five-star reviews offering high praise for both its texture and its potent ingredient blend. Dua Lipa is among them. She recently told Vogue that it's one of her staple beauty products and at least part of the secret to her flawless, glowing skin! Among the hero agents is multi-ceramide complex, which wraps skin in hydrating lipids that both nourish and support your natural barrier. That's the key to strengthening your skin over time, leaving it looking and feeling better the more you use the cream. Another addition is the brand's midnight antioxidant complex, consisting of detoxifying peptides and extracts from dragonfruit and saskatoon berry. This medley of amino acids and superfoods gives your skin a little extra boost, helping it restore even more effectively overnight. With N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) added to deeply moisturize and leave skin softer and smoother, the formula takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to nourishing skin. Used regularly, Advanced Night Ceramide has proven to deliver remarkable, noticeable results. From the start, you'll feel the difference as it absolutely drenches even the driest skin in lasting moisture. One week to flawless: Your skin works hardest overnight to replenish itself, and with this nourishing night cream you can experience a visible improvement quickly It has a wonderfully rich, comforting texture that feels soothing both straight out of the jar and as it's massaged into the skin. 'My dry skin was transformed to the softest skin!' exclaimed a user. 'It has an incredible texture.' It's also formulated to visibly firm the skin by the next morning — and a consumer study conducted over a four-week period found that within just seven days, even stubborn lines and wrinkles were less visible. Plus, an impressive 96 percent of participants found that their skin felt softer and more nourished immediately after applying the product. Those results speak to the product's popularity, with shoppers lauding it as the 'best night cream ever.' 'My skin feels improved already,' raved another. 'I love it. My skin feels soft and nourished in the morning and I am starting to notice that fine lines are less pronounced.' It's never too late to level up your overnight routine with the Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Signature Night Cream. Don't forget to enter DAILY15 at checkout to snag your discount!
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Iconic US snack set for major update to taste and look after pressure from RFK Jr
Slim Jims — the iconic spicy, dried meat stick— are set for a major recipe overhaul. The company that makes them said it is removing all artificial dyes from its products by 2027 amid pressure from health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Chicago-based Conagra Brands said Birds Eye frozen vegetables, Orville Redenbacher popcorn and Duncan Hines baking products will also be affected by the change. The coloring agents will likely be replaced with natural ingredients such turmeric or beet juice, which could change the look, change and texture of many iconic foods. The announcement follows similar plans from brands like Nestle, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, many of whom have said they also won't launch any new products with artificial dyes. Health officials have long called for the removal of dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 over concerns of hyperactivity and conditions like ADHD in children. Some studies have also linked them to cancer in animals and hormonal issues. Conagra said in its annoucement Wednesday it will remove all dyes from its frozen foods by the end of 2025 and stop selling products with artificial dyes in schools by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. By the end of 2027, it will fully discontinue use of synthetic dyes from all of its products. RFK Jr has outlined plans to strip eight petrolium-based dyes from the US food supply during his tenure as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Slim Jims don't specifically say on the packaging that they contain artificial dyes, though it's possible other additives like sodium nitrite could be removed. The push comes amid concerns in recent years over health effects of artificial dyes, including animal studies suggesting they can cause hyperactivity, cancer and other health problems. With a recipe change could also come differences in color, texture and taste, though it's unclear how subtle the shifts will be. Conagra said many of its products already use natural alternatives like turmeric and annatto, especially in items like pickles, frozen vegetables and popcorn. However, products like Duncan Hines frosting and Swiss Miss pudding still contain Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1. Tom McCough, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Conagra Brands, said in a statement: 'Conagra Brands is known for innovating delicious, on-trend foods, and our transition away from FD&C colors is just one aspect of our broader strategy to modernize our portfolio to align with consumer preferences. 'Our leading portfolio of frozen brands, including Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's and more, will be 100% free from FD&C colors by the end of 2025.' Health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing studies indicating they can cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues, in children. The FDA has maintained that the approved dyes are safe and that 'the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives.' The agency currently allows 36 food color additives, including eight synthetic dyes. However, it announced in January that Red 3 — used in candies, cakes and some medications — would be banned in food by 2027 because it caused cancer in laboratory rats. Several states, including California and West Virginia, have passed laws restricting the use of artificial colors in foods. FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced in April that the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in America's food supply within the next two years. The massive shakeup will free children from the 'toxic soup' that makes up much of America's food supply, Dr Makary said. It's unclear if Conagra will reformulate the affected products or discontinue them entirely. The company has also not announced plans to change the recipes globally.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
Best neck fan for UK heatwave 2025 – lightweight, USB and under £14
The bladeless neck fan provides a targeted breeze while keeping your hands free | Wowcher This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. With another sweltering spell on the way, I've found a bladeless neck fan that's cheap, rechargeable and looks smart enough for video calls. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After the relentless heat of the past week or so, most of us have welcomed the cooler spell with open arms. But don't get too comfortable. The forecast shows things heating up again this weekend – and next week could be sweltering across much of the UK. So I've been on the hunt for a portable cooling solution that doesn't cost the earth, and doesn't weigh as much as my main Meaco air conditioner. The Meaco is brilliant at keeping one room in the house as cool as a cucumber, but it's not something I can easily carry up and down stairs. That's where this smart little bladeless neck fan comes in – and after looking at everything on the market, it's the one I've decided to go for. You can get it now from Wowcher for just £13.99 – or £11.89 for VIP members – and it looks like exactly the kind of thing I'll need to stay cool as I move around the house during the next hot spell. The idea is simple: a rechargeable, USB-C-powered fan that sits comfortably around your neck, giving you up to ten hours of cooling without needing to hold anything or plug it in. It has a bladeless design that's safe around kids and pets, three airflow settings, and a sleek foldable shape that makes it easy to carry or pack. I've not used it yet – but based on everything I've seen, it's my top pick for keeping cool without relying on heavy, expensive kit or blasting noisy desk fans all day. My home office is one of the cooler rooms in the house, but even that gets stuffy in the afternoon. This seems like a smart solution for getting through those last few hours of the working day when the sun swings round. Sign up to our new weekly Top Buys newsletter - and never miss a deal again! | NationalWorld The fan is available in white or black, and unlike a lot of cheap cooling gadgets, it actually looks like something you wouldn't mind wearing in public or on a video call. If you want to beat the next heatwave without spending a fortune, this neck fan deal on Wowcher is hard to ignore. I've made my choice – and with the weather warming up again, you might want to do the same while it's still in stock.
