A 5% Vitamin C Serum for Brightening and Daytime Protection
Vitamin C does two things at once. It's an antioxidant, neutralising the free radicals that UV and pollution generate — damage sunscreen doesn't block. And it interrupts melanin production, which is how it fades dark spots over time.
Formulated at 5% — a gentle, well-tolerated concentration for daily use. 30ml for Rs. 1,720.
What 5% Means for You
Vitamin C serums commonly range from 5% to 20%. At 5%, this sits at the gentler end.
What that gives you: comfortable daily use with far less stinging, and suitability for sensitive skin or anyone who has found stronger vitamin C irritating. It also means you can pair it with other actives more easily.
What it costs you: pace. Higher concentrations produce faster results on stubborn pigmentation. Expect gradual brightening over two to three months rather than dramatic change in six weeks.
Worth knowing: vitamin C concentration matters less than freshness and consistency. A 5% serum used every morning outperforms a 20% one that oxidised in the bottle or gets used twice a week because it stings.
What It Does
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Antioxidant defence against UV and pollution damage — the part of sun damage sunscreen doesn't cover
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Fades dark spots by interrupting melanin production
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Supports collagen, which firms skin over months of use
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Brightens a dull, tired-looking complexion
Best for: dullness, dark spots, sensitive skin, first-time vitamin C users · morning use · 30ml
Vitamin C and Sunscreen
These work as a pair, but not the way it's often described. Vitamin C doesn't increase your SPF number or make sunscreen stronger. It handles a different kind of damage — sunscreen filters UV before it reaches the skin, while vitamin C neutralises the free radicals produced by whatever gets through.
So daily SPF isn't optional alongside it. Without sun protection, UV deepens pigmentation faster than any brightening active can fade it.
How to Apply Vitamin C Serum
Three to four drops on clean, dry skin in the morning — dry matters, as damp skin can increase stinging.
Press it in rather than rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute, then apply moisturizer and finish with SPF 50 or SPF 70.
Storage matters more than with most serums. Vitamin C oxidises on exposure to light and air. Keep the bottle closed and out of direct sunlight. If it turns deep orange or brown, it has oxidised and should be replaced.
At 5%, most people can use it daily from the start without a tingle.
What to Expect
Brightness and glow usually show within four to six weeks. Dark spots take longer — two to three months of daily use with consistent sunscreen. Collagen benefits accumulate over months.
Complete the Routine
Morning: cleanse → vitamin C → moisturizer → SPF.
For pigmentation, pair it with the Glycolic Acid 7% Toner in the evening — the toner removes pigmented surface cells while vitamin C slows new pigment forming. If your skin still finds vitamin C irritating, niacinamide addresses similar concerns more gently again.
See the full serum range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the vitamin C serum price in Pakistan?
Rs. 1,720 for 30ml at 5%. Used once daily in the morning, a bottle lasts roughly two months.
Is 5% vitamin C enough?
Yes for brightening and antioxidant protection, particularly if your skin is sensitive or you're new to vitamin C. Higher concentrations act faster on stubborn pigmentation, but they sting more and are abandoned more often. A serum you use daily beats a stronger one you don't.
What is the best vitamin C serum in Pakistan?
One you'll use every morning and that hasn't oxidised on the shelf. Vitamin C degrades with light and air, so packaging and turnover matter as much as concentration — a fresh 5% serum outperforms an old 20% one.
How do I apply vitamin C serum?
Three to four drops on clean, dry skin in the morning, before moisturizer. Press in rather than rub, wait a minute, then moisturize and apply SPF.
Morning or night?
Morning. Its antioxidant protection is most useful during daylight hours, when UV and pollution exposure happen.
Which serum is best for pigmentation?
Vitamin C in the morning, and it works better paired with an exfoliating acid at night than used alone. Daily sunscreen is non-negotiable either way.
Can I use it with niacinamide?
Yes for most people, and at 5% conflicts are even less likely. If your skin is reactive, use niacinamide in the evening instead.
Can I use it with retinol?
Not at the same time. Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night.
Why has my serum changed colour?
Oxidation. Vitamin C darkens as it degrades, and once it turns deep orange or brown it's no longer doing much. Keeping it closed and out of light slows this considerably.
