DIY Tetra C (with Vitamin E and CoQ) Serum

Straight off the bat, this Tetra C serum is not my recipe.  The recipe was formulated by the magnificent Jen of My Funny Valentine, with a tweak from me (the beauty of DIY is that you can adjust proportions so that they suit your skin).

I was going to film this but, even with my sleeping only 3-4 hours a night, I simply did not have the time.  But I did take photos from my last batch and, so, that is what I’ve used here.  I will film the making of the serum eventually, when I can figure out how to survive on 2 hours sleep!

 

About this serum

This is an oil based serum containing the following active ingredients: 10% Tetra C (stable version of Vitamin C which is also very gentle on the skin), 2.5% CoQ aka Coenzyme 10 aka Ubiqinone (a potent antioxidant) and 5% Vitamin E (helps to protect the skin from nasties).

The carrier oils you use in the solution are entirely up to you.  Jen uses Jojoba, Borage and Argan oil in her recipe.  I’ve done the same, except that I have swapped the proportions on the Argan and Borage oil just because I really love Borage oil and find it works wonders on my skin.

I have not put any preservatives in this serum which means it does have a shortened shelf life.  I would rather not use preservatives just because I think - personally - it defeats the purpose of freshly made skincare.  I would make a new batch every four weeks and store this in the fridge to keep it potent.

 

Ingredients

2.0g ‘Tetra’ C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate)  

0.5g pure CoQ10 (powder)   

1.0g Vitamin E oil                                                   

6.5g Borage Oil

5.0g Jojoba Oil   

5.0g Argan Oil

 

Instructions

1. Put two eggs onto the oven to boil, and two slices of bread in your toaster.

2. Mix the three carrier oils (borage, jojoba and argan together) in a single glass.

3. Add the CoQ powder to the oils.  This can be difficult to dissolve (you want the CoQ to completely disappear, leaving you with a clear dark orange/red liquid).  Create a bain marie (as shown) of warm water and the CoQ should dissolve fairly quickly. 

4. Add the Vitamin E and Tetra C  to your oils / CoQ concoction and mix well.

5. Pour into dropper bottle. Try and use an amber coloured bottle just because Vitamin C will oxidise when exposed to light.

6. Take eggs off the oven, peel and enjoy with hot buttered toast.  This recipe will take you less than five minutes to make and you can also have a delicious snack at the end of it.

 

How to apply

I use this in the morning, after my niacinamide/glucosamine serum (recipe coming soon) but before my sunscreen.  I leave it on for at least 30 minutes before applying sunscreen, just so that it can do its work in peace.

Although this is oil based – which may scare some of you – it doesn’t feel oily on.  Indeed, it sinks in almost immediately and – 10 minutes after I’ve applied – I don’t even realise it’s there.

This is also makes a great base for sunscreen.  My sunscreen literally glides on over the top of this and, because it and the sunscreen is so moisturising, I’ve been able to do away with a dedicated moisturiser entirely.

 

Results

I love this serum.  If my previous C Serum was boot camp skincare, this is yoga.  Potent but gentle.

My skin loves it and I can see a definitely improvement in terms of my skin appearing bright. The dullness I normally get during winter is completely gone.

This serum is cheap, easy to make and effective.