Described as: “A super-potent vitamin C day serum packed with a powerful antioxidant complex, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes, all working together to firm and brighten the appearance of skin, while improving the signs of photoagin”, this serum certainly sounds like a wonderful product on paper. But does it measure up in practice?
The Ingredients List
What drunkelephant.co.uk has to say about the main active ingredients:
- Potent Antioxidant Complex (15% L-Ascorbic Acid plus Ferulic Acid and 1% Vitamin E): Firms and brightens the look and feel of skin while minimizing the signs of photoaging from pollution and other environmental stressors.
- Pumpkin Ferment and Pomegranate Extract: These ingredients work together to enzymatically dissolve dead surface skin cells, minimizing the appearance of pores.
- Chronocyclin: A chronopeptide that mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D for more youthful-looking skin.
- Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Extract: Potent antioxidant that aids in improving skin's tone.
- Indian Gooseberry: An antioxidant-rich super-fruit that helps slow signs of oxidative stress while promoting firmness.
- Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: With a smaller molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, this ingredient is able to deeply penetrate skin, delivering excellent hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting firmness.
L-Ascorbic Acid is arguably one of the most unstable forms of vitamin C that can be prone to oxidization from sunlight, oxygen, and heat. However in this case, my personal opinion is that this is not problematic. The packaging is an airless pump that will prevent the product from coming into contact with oxygen, and the packaging is opaque which will prevent the serum from coming into contact with direct sunlight. Furthermore, Ferulic Acid, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that can reduce premature aging, has been shown to increase the stability of L-Ascorbic Acid in skincare formulations.
Pumpkin ferment is rated by Paula’s Choice as “BEST” in terms of ingredients. This ingredient has been found to contain antioxidant properties and does not contain any fragrance chemicals that may sensitize or irritate the skin. There are inconsistencies in the research to support pumpkin enzymes remaining stable during formulation to provide exfoliation properties. Regardless pumpkin ferment is a good antioxidant ingredient that will help to protect the skin throughout the day.
Pomegranate is another good antioxidant ingredient that has been found to support skins natural regenerative process, detox the skin, and protect from UV radiation. In skin with congested pores, this ingredient could very well help to minimize the appearance of pore size by clearing the congestion. Vitis Vinifera is another antioxidant rated “BEST” by Paula’s Choice that also contains emollient properties as it is a seed oil which will help to promote moisture within the skin.
First Impressions
My first impressions of this product were not so positive. I originally found this product to feel quite greasy and heavy on my skin. Additionally, I used this before a hyaluronic acid serum and found that this caused the hyaluronic to ball up and not absorb into the skin. Before trialling this product, I had been using The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid, and my first impression was left questioning how the Drunk Elephant could have such a higher price tag. Oh how wrong I was!
After the first attempt at trying this product not going to plan I put this product away for a few days, uninspired to try again. A few days later when doing my evening skincare, I realised that when I use a facial oil in the evening I apply a very small amount of the oil as the last step before moisturiser and after all my water based serums. Given the high concentrations of seed and fruit oils within this product I should be applying it last in my routine after all of my water based serums.
The next morning, I pulled the Drunk Elephant C-Firma out and tried it again. This time only using one pump of product and applying the product after my hyaluronic acid. This time the serum absorbed into the skin nicely without leaving a heavy greasy feeling on my skin. Having used this product now for a few weeks, I have noticed that my skin tone has become more even and uniform in colour than I have ever experienced with other vitamin C products, and some of my stubborn post inflammatory hyperpigmentation around my chin and temples has greatly reduced.
Final Thoughts
After the first hurdle of working out how to fit this serum into my morning routine, I have thoroughly enjoyed using this product. Yes, it is expensive, but I believe that it is worth the price especially if you have stubborn hyperpigmentation. Do I think that everyone needs such a pricey vitamin C serum? Absolutely not. If you can afford it, and want to treat yourself to a vitamin C serum then I think this is a brilliant option. However, I think there are also some really good vitamin C serum formulations at lower price points.
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