Ask any dermatologist, and they will tell you vitamin C should be part of your daily skin-care routine. And why limit this all-star ingredient to just your face? Nécessaire says it’s time to slather the free radical–fighting antioxidant all over our bodies, and we agree. Today, the brand launches its new The Body Vitamin C treatment, and I’ve become a fast fan. Here’s what to know about the formula and what makes it so good.
The Benefits of This Body Serum
First, let’s discuss the star ingredient in this formula, vitamin C. The brand chose to use a 2.5-percent concentration of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (aka THD ascorbate), a vitamin C derivative. This has been a popular choice for skin-care brands as of late for a few different reasons. Experts have told us it’s a highly active form of vitamin C that’s much more stable than L-ascorbic acid (the pure form of the ingredient). It’s also less likely to irritate the skin, and we know vitamin C can be tricky for many people with sensitivities.
In this serum, the combination of THD ascorbate with tranexamic acid gives skin a big boost in the brightening department. Not only helping to increase the skin’s overall radiance, but also reducing the appearance of dark spots. For me (a KP picker for many years), I have little dark spots all over my legs and the backs of my arms. Of course I’m self-conscious about them (even if no one else notices), and I am always looking for nonsticky lotions and potions to help lighten them up. In a third-party clinical study, 67 percent of participants reported less visible sunspots and radiant, glowing skin after four weeks of use.
I love the lightweight, gel-cream texture, which feels more like a serum as I massage it into my skin. The brand describes it as a “serum-in-gel,” and it has a very refreshing feel. I want something that will disappear into my skin in mere seconds after my shower, and this is it. If you have dry skin, I’d layer your body lotion on top of this formula rather than relying on this as your only moisturizer. The formula is also vegan and fragrance-free.
Key Ingredients
Vitamin C (THD ascorbate), vitamin E, enzymes, tranexamic acid, terracotta and niacinamide
How to Use It
Apply it daily, or as needed, to your body from the neck down. As I mentioned above, I like to apply it right when I get out of the shower on clean skin. According to Nécessaire, it was designed to be paired with The Body Wash Olibanum, which also contains vitamin C (THD ascorbate) and enzymes. If you haven’t tried this one yet, it smells amazing!
When my skin is dry, I layer The Body Vitamin C on first and then top it with more of a traditional body lotion or cream. I love the brand’s cult-classic Body Lotion, too, and the two work nicely together. However, if you live in a more humid climate, you may not need another layer. Also, just like vitamin C helps boost the effectiveness of sunscreen you apply to your face, the same goes for your body. It’s an amazing duo for keeping your skin protected in the sun.
