All about: Dermalogica BioLumin-C Serum

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (AKA ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make the sunny-hued little beauty a vital molecule for skin health. Dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, and some studies have even shown that vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage. To break the news gently: you NEED the stuff on your face, as well as in your diet. Lucky for us there’s some clever skincare brands doing unique things with it, and formulas to suit every skin.

The latest I’ve been lucky enough to hear about it is Dermalogica’s new BioLumin-C Serum (RRP $159), which arrived on counters this week. A super stable and bioavailable, potent Vitamin C formula to help both reduce and prevent fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of elasticity, its end goal is ‘giving you brighter skin from within’. So what does ‘bioavailable mean?’ you may ask? Well, many topical Vitamin C products contain unstable ingredients that lose efficacy before they're even applied to the skin, or on application. BioLumin-C Serum doesn't talk about the percentage of Vitamin C within the formula, as this doesn't mean anything if it isn't stable or bioavailable.

So how does it do its thing? Well, the high-performance serum works with skin’s own defences to brighten and firm. Advanced bio-technology – the kind of innovation we’ve come to associate with the brand - fuses ultra-stable Vitamin C and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, helping to dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Delivering more Vitamin C into skin, it aims to out perform other Vitamin C products (including those formulated at higher concentrations) due to its clever make up.

Other key ingredients in the heady mix include Vitamin C Complex for brighter, firmer skin, Lactic Acid to accelerate cell turnover, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract to help return skin to a calm state after experiencing oxidative stress, and Salvia Hispanica (AKA Chia Seed) Oil to hydrate and help quench free radicals.

Smooth this baby over a cleansed face and neck morning and night, after toning and before moisturising, and be ready to see a real change in areas like pigmentation and fine lines. I’ve been using it every second day due to my rosacea issues that seem to have reared their ugly head once again, but once that’s left the building I’ll be upping my dose for sure.

Dermalogica's super stable, bioavailable BioLumin-C Serum is available right now from authorised Dermalogica stockists and dermalogica.co.nz