Highest concentration Vitamin C serum with 20% L-ascorbic acid

I’m a huge fan of skincare products, especially sunscreen and Vitamin C! Because I feel, if your skin is naturally polished, you need less of makeup and less time in getting ready. So I think it’s actually owning and working to maintain the quality of your skin to look beautiful and flawless without much effort.

And for that matter, a daily dose of vitamin C is essential to prevent and protect any damage or imperfection – and in the process take your skin to that next level of ‘wow’ factor, where you receive compliments like “Wow..you’ve got wonderful skin”!

So while, I’m always on the look-out for new Vitamin C products, last month I got a chance to try Super C Vitamin Strong Serum from IQ Natural Skincare. Learning, it contains 20% L- ascorbic acid along with vitamin E and Ferulic acid, I knew at once, this is the one – even if it crushes my bank!

IQ Natural Skincare Super “C” Strong Serum Review

Price: $ 89

Quantity: 30 ml

Product Description:

Neutralize free-radicals and repair damaged cells with our concentrated 20% Super -C serum.  This vitamin c serum reverses and prevents photo-damage, increases skin illumination and cell toxin removal. The active ingredient, ascorbic acid is proven to mitigate light induced cellular damage from indoor and outdoor UV sources plus environmental aging factors.”

How to Use:

After cleansing and toning apply a small amount to areas you would like to treat then apply moisturizer over the top of the serum.

Ingredients:

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L-Ascorbic acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, d-Alpha Tocopherol, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, dl-Panthenol, Glutathione, Glycine and Proline and Hydroxyproline, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitoyloligopeptide and Palmitoyltetrapeptide-7, Epidermal Growth Factor(EGF), Cetyl Esters, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

highest concentration vitamin C anti aging serumPackaging:

The anti aging vitamin C serum comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. I press it on the top to fill ¼ of the dropper with the product to use it all over my face and neck.

Color & Consistency:

It has a gel like consistency, which is neither thick and nor runny like other vitamin C serums in the market (most other vitamin C serums I’ve tried in the past had water-like consistency). Also, the serum has a slight orange tint to it.

Not sure, if the color is due to the presence of Resveratrol in the serum or because the product was oxidized by the time I opened it! Thankfully, latter could not be the case because I can see the serum working for me.

But either way, I don’t like the idea of colored vitamin C serums because you can’t make out when the product gets oxidized.

Scent & Performance:

I hate products that leave you with a sticky and oily face. But fortunately, this Vitamin C serum sinks in quickly without leaving any greasiness or sticky residue. As for the scent, it’s slightly citrus, slightly medicinal – well that’s what I could make of its highly faint fragrance as far as I dig.

The product says to use a moisturizer after applying this serum. But I don’t feel the need for it as the serum is extremely hydrating. The texture of my skin feels softer and suppler after I use this serum.

It’s been over four weeks, I’m using the serum diligently in my morning and evening care routine and I can notice this serum has made my face look so much smoother and even toned. I was battling with dullness, dark spots, and patchiness ever since the arrival of this summer and must confess, this serum has helped in addressing all these issues.

Effectiveness & Results:

Okay, the improvement is slow compared to the quick and drastic results I was expecting. Because after all, no matter what any product claims and no matter how powerful the ingredient list, there is no substitute to cosmetic procedures done at a dermatologist’s office, when it comes to transforming ageing skin or lightening dark, dull skin.

Yet there are few ingredients like retinol, AHA, vitamin C, vitamin E , etc. , that do promote collagen formation, fade fine lines and brighten dull complexion when used meticulously overtime.

And the good thing about this strong vitamin C serum is that all the powerful proven brightening and anti aging actives such as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, resveratrol, glutathione, hyaluronic acid etc. come at the beginning of the ingredient list, making this serum one of the most potent and best vitamin C serums in the market.

So, while the dullness of my skin is replaced by a fresher, brighter, and more even toned complexion, I’m now expecting the real deal to come after 3 or 4 months, when I’m hoping my skin to show maximum progress and I can compare the results to an in-office chemical peel or other cosmetic treatment (keeping my fingers crossed until that time)!

IQ Natural Super C Vitamin Strong Serum ReviewPros:

  • Contains 20% L-ascorbic acid, which is the highest concentration of vitamin C I have used in a topical product so far!
  • Contains the most impressive anti aging formula with Vitamin C, E, Ferulic acid, Hyaluronic acid and Amino acid blend
  • Contains the best scientifically proven skin brightening anti oxidants such as Glutathione and Resveratrol
  • Effective in fading dark spots. Has visibly lightened dark patches and pigmentation marks on my face
  • Effective in brightening complexion. Has made my skin noticeably brighter and luminous
  • Effective in smoothening fine lines
  • Makes skin soft, supple, and firm
  • Excellent moisturizer
  • Lives up to its claims

Cons:

  • Priced at $ 89 for 30 ml, I must say its exorbitant price is a HUGE con. But the fact that you only need to apply a few drops each time, you do get a lot for your money. And for the results it has given me, I’d pay for it even if that means crushing my pocket every time I re-purchase..
  • 20% L-ascorbic acid is too high. It’s a positive as well as negative. If your skin can adapt to such high concentration, it would work like a charm but if you’ve got sensitive skin, you better stay away from this product. It would only damage your skin.
  • It’s a tinted vitamin C serum; making it difficult to make out when the product gets oxidized
  • Thicker consistency compared to other water-like vitamin C serums in the market. May not suit acne-prone or oily skinned beauties.

Overall take:

On the whole, this super C strong Vitamin Serum by IQ Natural is one of best anti aging and skin brightening serums in the market with 20% L-ascorbic acid along with Ferulic acid and Vitamin E. It’s rare to find an anti aging or skin brightening product that lives up to its claims.

But I wish it were cheaper and non-tinted. Also, because it contains the highest concentration of Vitamin C, I don’t recommend it to girls with oily or sensitive skin.

 

Written by Anshulika Chawla

    25 Comments

  1. Saloni at Reply

    I am 31, can I use vitamin c serum specially for crow’s feet . How about dr. Reddy vitamin c serum…read good reviews about it.

    • Hi Saloni. Yes, you can use Vitamin C for under eye area but as per my research Vitamin K works best for this area. IQ Natural offers a great Vitamin K serum. Ega cream also contains Vitamin K in its formulation. As for Dr. Reddy Vitamin C, yes, it’s a good one to purchase.

  2. Saloni at Reply

    Also which under eye cream is better for dark circles and crows feet…ega or eyelite?

    • Eyelite is a better option anytime, if you’re looking to fade dark circles. Yes, it also works on puffiness, crows feet and under eye wrinkles.

  3. Saloni at Reply

    Hi mam, neither I could find dr reddy vitamin C serum nor vitamin K serum IQ naturals. I have dark circles and crows feet both but crows feet is a major concern. Pls suggest any eye cream or serum best for this. I have been using sebamed q 10 under eye cream but it didn’t help much.
    Also I am fair, have very dry skin and have been noticing small spots on my face, for removing this and for an even toned and fair complexion , I wanted to use vitamin C serum, what is the next best option after dr reddy?

    • Hi Saloni. For dark circles and crows feet, you can use Kaya skin clinic brightening and firming eye serum along with Brightening serum by the same brand for even toned and radiant complexion. As for vitamin C serum, you can use either of the Auriga Flavo C serum or cipla vc 15 serum. All the best.

  4. Anu at Reply

    Which is better, this vit c serum or auriga flavo c which u suggested in anti ageing section. I have dark circles and crows feet, which eye product to use

    • This one is better than Auriga anytime because besides 20% L-ascorbic acid (highest concentration) this super C vitamin serum contains other powerful proven anti aging ingredients such as Ferulic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Resveratrol, Glutathione, dl-pantethenol, and peptides. If your skin can take 20% L-ascorbic acid, then nothing like it.

      • Anu at Reply

        Ok, this means it is better to start with low dose like auriga then shift to iq 20?

  5. Saloni at Reply

    Hi mam, I am bothering you again, I could find 2 Auriga flavo vitamin c serum on Amazon…one is 15ml which reads
    “Contains 8% of L-ascorbic acid ,High concentration permits the rapid disappearance of wrinkle and the lines ,Aging spots are progressively smoothed out ,Flavonoids of the Ginkgo Biloba act in synergy with vitamin C and provide an optimal daily protection against free radicals damages ,Useful for anti-ageing skin care”
    Another is Auriga flavo c 30ml which reads
    “All day long the skin suffers repeated attacks. These constant attacks tirelessly dry out the skin and cause a loss of softness and comfort, which is partly responsible for the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is therefore imperative to deeply hydrate the skin in order to preserve its essential properties. Flavo-C cream contains highly tolerable moisturizing active ingredients. Its renewing and protecting characteristics restore the skins natural barriers.”
    Both are priced almost 1550. Which one shall I take? Thanks

    • Ho Saloni. Go with the first option. It’s a fortified vitamin c serum containing powerful antioxidant Gingko Biloba for enhanced protection.

  6. keer at Reply

    Hi mam cud u plz send a link to buy tis iq naturals anti ageing serum…I want to include a vitamin c serum…shud I start wit auriga flavo 8% or cipla vc 15%…I m 30 yrs wit oily acne prone skin…using ega cream since 7-8 months after ur suggestion…skin has improved now…stil I have pores n uneven skin tone…I started using plum green tea alcohol toner wit glycolic acid(conc.not mentioned)….my skin s getting clear n acne r much reduced…I wanted to include a glycolic acid cream n my night regime which I can alternate wit ega cream…I feel glycolic acid might help me…I had read abt glycol A 6% n 12%…shall I start wit any of tem mam…plz do suggest any good effective glycolic acid cream for my skin…I had used aha glow and plum green tea wit glycolic acid facewash…but tat dint suit me…I’m using only Organic brands lately except few things…also suggest me an under eye cream for fine lines mam…I don have dark circles…use sebamed q eye cream but not helpful…thanks

    • Hi Keeru. Most skin lighteners are known to cause skin sensitivity. If your skin is already sensitive, I would suggest you to stick to safer organic options. But if you really really want to use then learn to play safely. Use them sparingly in very very small quantities only in the evening and be extremely strict about your sun protection in day time while using lighteners. You can start with Demelan cream in the evening only on dark spots. Let it stay for two hours and then wash off. After that apply Melaglow cream in the night again on dull pigmented areas of the skin under your regular moisturizer or night cream. Don’t Ega cream, while using these creams. Or you can skip Melaglow cream if you are already using Ega cream as night cream. For under eye area, you can try using Avarta under eye cream for fine lines. Hope this helps. All the best.

      • keer at Reply

        Thanks for ur suggestion mam…I’ll try demelan alone initially…ll continue retinol contained night creams only as I feel it’s better for my skin…never faced any irritation wit ega cream so far….but getting bored wit it lately…I wanna know if I can use any other good retinol cream….instead of demelan can I use avene triacneal as it has both glycolic acid and retinol…or plz do suggest some other good night cream wit potent retinol content mam….I had seen al te creams u have listed under anti ageing creams….wanna know if anything different from those….how about te epique Switzerland night cream u had reviewed mam….I just wanna take a short break from my routine ega cream….plz let me know ur suggestions mam…thanks

        • Hi Keeeru. Avene triacneal would be a better choice than Epique. If you want to take a break from Ega, you can go for Avene.

          • keer at

            Thank u mam…I have one more doubt…kindly clarify it…If I feel drying sensation after retinol creams can I apply any other night moisturizer/anti ageing cream wit different ingredients over retinol ones…or any facial Essential oil serum…I feel my skin dry in te morning…also can I apply vitamin c serum both morning and night…shud v store vitamin c serum in refrigerator….plz do clear these doubts…sorry for bothering u alot…thanks

  7. keer at Reply

    I recently found out tat auriga flavo c serum has alcohol and fragrance in it…the toners tat I used earlier used to sting me much due to te alcohol content…I have many flaws over my skin like scars, open pores, blackheads, whiteheads…but my skin cudnt handle any anti acne things…seein great reviews abt la roche posay effaclor duo plus I got it few months back…but it burned alot so stopped everything n switched over to organic brands…my skin has improved now wit reduced blemishes…acne al…so just want some really good ingredients to include mam…even sles in facewash doesn’t suit me which I understood very lately mam…so plz do suggest a good vitamin c serum wit anti ageing benefits…TIA…

    • Hi Keeru. Good to know, you have made your switch to organic products. They are slow initially but overtime going organic proves to be more effective and wiser option. Forest Essentials and Kama Ayurveda are two very good brands with highly amazing product range. As for a safe Vit C serum for sensitive skin, I would suggest you use Antox C vit c serum by Kaya Skin Clinic. Thought not that concentrated, it’s the safest bet among all.

      • keer at Reply

        Yea mam…organic suits me better…Kaya antox vitamin c serum reviews are good mam…I made up my mind to get tat but wen goin through aplava.com I found te O3+ brand which also has a vitamin c agelock booster…it’s reviews also good…so just wanna know if I can start wit tat mam…and so many other products from tat brand seems attractive and wit good ingredients….cud u plz tel me if I can use their bright up tonic as toner…any good worthy serums…i don know whether tey have any glycolic acid or retinol creams mam…if u have any idea ten plz do guide me…thanks

  8. Anu at Reply

    Hi anshu,as per your advice i used auriga c serum,worked great on my skin which is oily. Shall i buy same one again or switch over to some other brand of serum?

  9. Stevealbert at Reply

    A good detailed review. Thanks for the explanation.

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