Some skincare ingredients are so remarkable for the skin they deserve special attention. Along with Vitamin A and sunscreen, Vitamin C should be the backbone of any good skincare routine.As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C does a brilliant job of protecting the skin from free radicals.
Antioxidants ensure the barrier remains healthy and can defend against environmental aggressors, such as UV light, pollution, and chemicals. Vitamin C is a great addition to just about anyone’s regime as it supports critical skincare needs — it protects, brightens and boosts collagen.
While pure Vitamin C — commonly referred to as L-ascorbic Acid — boasts these impressive qualities, it does come with several challenges. First, it is inherently unstable and reactive and quickly loses its antioxidant properties when exposed to heat, light, and air. Furthermore, not all skin types can tolerate it due to its low pH value. In short, L-ascorbic Acid is the most effective and extensively researched form of vitamin C, but not the easiest. And this is where vitamin C derivatives can be useful.
As one of the most promising vitamin C derivatives, 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid offers all the significant benefits that vitamin C is known for, such as radiance, collagen boosting effect and hyperpigmentation reduction.
One of the best serums using 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is Boost Up from Trinny London. Not your average vitamin C serum, this high-potency formula seamlessly blends effectiveness with an elegantly balmy texture.
Lightweight and soothing, this silky serum uses 30% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, an impressively stable form of Vitamin C that evens skin tone and seriously ups the ante on your radiance, all while imbuing your skin with antioxidants that protect against damage from free radicals. A superb supporting cast surrounds it. Think plankton, lemon peel ferment and lactococcus ferment. Addressing both immediate and long-term skincare concerns through consistent usage, the super-strength serum helps in giving an even tone and glow to your skin that will brighten and rejuvenate your skin.
What does Vitamin C do for your skin?
As one of the most researched skincare ingredients, Vitamin C plays a vital role in supporting overall skin health.
Vitamin C is used in skincare primarily for its antioxidant properties. It helps neutralise reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful molecules generated due to factors like UV radiation, pollution, and stress. By doing so, Vitamin C helps protect the skin from oxidative stress, which can lead to premature ageing, inflammation, and even damage to the DNA. Furthermore, Vitamin C is known to be a tyrosinase inhibitor and can help with hyperpigmentation. This is why Vitamin C is often recommended for individuals looking to reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots, and sunspots.
So incorporating Vitamin C into a skincare routine can offer several benefits, including:
PROTECTS CELLS FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY FREE RADICALS. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, protecting the skin from external aggressors like free radicals — unstable molecules or atoms generated by factors such as UV rays, pollution, and stress. They can damage healthy skin cells. Due to their instability, they actively seek stable molecules to bond with. This results in a chain reaction where the previously stable molecule turns into a free radical, perpetuating the cycle of damage.
BRIGHTENS DULL SKIN. When the skin is consistently exposed to free radicals, it can lose its radiance and appear lacklustre. Protecting the skin with antioxidants will help maintain a clear and radiant complexion.
FADES DARK SPOTS AND PREVENTS PIGMENTATION. As you age, you may develop hyperpigmentation on your face, neck, and chest from accumulated sun exposure and other environmental factors. Vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that catalyses the production of melanin. By inhibiting tyrosinase, vitamin C prevents the increase of melanin and gradually fades away dark spots with too much melanin. Over time, with vitamin C use, you can even out your skin tone, making it more luminous.
ENCOURAGES COLLAGEN PRODUCTION. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in stimulating the production of collagen, which is the main structural protein in the skin, and acts like scaffolding and provides volume so the skin is plump and bouncy. As you age, collagen production decreases, so the skin may appear thinner and have less structural support, which is why people begin to notice drooping or sagging of their skin. Therefore, stimulating your skin to produce it faster is beneficial. Vitamin C triggers collagen formation and stabilises the collagen proteins in the skin.
A new generation of Vitamin C – What is Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
All skincare lovers adore Vitamin C. Together with retinol and SPF, it forms the holy trinity of the most dermatologist-recommended must-haves. Not only does Vitamin C brighten and even the skin tone, but it also fights inflammations, stimulates collagen production, and regenerates the skin after the harmful effects of UV rays.
The natural form of vitamin C, L-ascorbic Acid, is the most well-researched Vitamin C for skincare use. However, it is a tricky molecule to formulate and notoriously unstable. When exposed to light, heat and air, Ascorbic Acid not only becomes inactive but is also easily oxidised and loses its efficacy quickly. This is where derivatives come into play. Derivatives of Vitamin C are known as inactive forms or esterified forms. Therefore, they must be absorbed into the skin and converted into pure Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid or AA).
3-O-Ethyl-Ascorbic Acid is one of the most promising vitamin C derivatives.
Compared to Ascorbic Acid, it is more stable (lasting longer without oxidising), does not need to be formulated at a very low or acidic pH range (so it is less likely to irritate the skin) and still has excellent benefits for the skin (as long as there is a high enough concentration of the ingredient included).
Chemically identical to Ascorbic Acid but structurally different, 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is an “etherified derivative of Ascorbic Acid” that consists of Vitamin C and an ethyl group bound to the third carbon position. This modification greatly increases the molecule’s stability and enhances its transport through the skin, compared to pure Vitamin C, which is easily degraded. This cutting-edge Vitamin C derivative is also compatible with several common skincare ingredients, especially actives you typically find in serums. Examples are niacinamide, retinol, hyaluronic acid and “regular” peptides (in terms of copper peptides, you should proceed with caution).
Regarding conversion into pure Vitamin C, references are limited to claims from the manufacturer, who confirms that 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is metabolised in the skin to generate Ascorbic Acid. Notably, the 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid product boasts a substantial Ascorbic Acid content of 86.4%, starkly contrasting to the typical 50-60% Vitamin C content in other derivatives – artchem.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Vitamina-C-stabilizzata.pdf. More research is needed.
According to the manufacturer, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid seem to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while also having the ability to stimulate the production of new collagen in the skin. However, the real strength of 3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is its skin-brighteningabilities – ulprospector.com/en/eu/PersonalCare/Detail/3345/120194/Ethyl-Ascorbic-Acid
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid shows significant potential as a Vitamin C derivative, although its complete efficacy has yet to be fully established. It is certainly worth trying, particularly if you are after that brightening, even-toned, glowy effect that so many people desire from a Vitamin C serum.
One of the best Vitamin C serums for brighter, healthier-looking skin
Potent and super-charged, Boost Up by Trinny London is a must-have for anyone who craves glow-getting results.
With a super strength of 30% of highly stable 3 O Ethylated Ascorbic Acid, it has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C products that we have seen. So, it is not your starter Vitamin C product and should only be used for highly experienced skincare users (a patch test is recommended before your first use, especially if you have sensitive skin). However, this potent serum can be used daily without compromising your skin’s health; instead, you will see it transform.
This powerful antioxidant has been clinically proven to enhance brightness and boost skin radiance. It also can even skin tone and protect your complexion against environmental stressors. With a high concentration of Vitamin C and a luxurious, balmy texture, Boost Up is the ultimate solution for boosting your complexion.
Apart from Ethylated Ascorbic Acid, there are also fermented extracts for additional antioxidant protection and strengthening of the skin’s natural barrier. Moreover, moisturisers and hydrators have been incorporated to create a more well-rounded serum that addresses your skin care and morning skincare requirements in a singular application before sunscreen.
Trinny London offers refills for its skincare products and is dedicated to skincare that are good for your skin and planet. It could not be easier — simply order your refill, reuse your pump and recycle your cartridge.
Hero ingredients used in the Boost Up Vitamin C serum
Packed with skin-loving ingredients, the Boost Up Vitamin C serum leaves the skin with a fresh, radiant glow. The main ingredients are:
ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C). Vitamin C stands out as a powerful antioxidant with a wide range of benefits. It brightens your skin and gives it a glow, ensuring an even-toned complexion.
Optimised for highly experienced skincare users, the Boost Up serum contains a very high dosage of Vitamin C. Its 30% concentration of Ethyl Ascorbic Acid makes it one of the most potent Vitamin C serums currently on the market. As a next-generation and ultra-stable Vitamin C derivative, Trinny London selected Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to guarantee optimal results. It has excellent skin-brightening qualities. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a next-generation, non-irritating form of vitamin C.
PLANKTON. Thanks to a high-tech delivery system, the serum’s plankton extract is directly transported to where the skin needs it. It targets areas of pigmentation to promote an even skin tone and enhance your skin’s natural radiance while boosting its glow.
LEMON PEEL FERMENT. The brand has fermented its lemon peel to supercharge its natural antioxidant benefits. The extract is known for its strong anti-tyrosinase activity that helps balance the skin tone and acts as a natural skin brightening.
LACTOCOCCUS FERMENT. As we age, our skin barrier becomes less able to defend itself, leading to dryness and dullness. Lactococcus ferment can help with the natural skin renewal process and a healthy skin barrier and flora. Consequently, it creates an inviting environment for your natural, protective bacteria to flourish in.
Trinny London, an exciting beauty brand that has a ‘can’t-live-without’ status
Only a few beauty brands have experienced the level of buzz that Trinny London has. With its straightforward approach to make-up and skincare, the brand has been incredibly successful since its launch in 2017.
It was established by Trinny Woodall, a beauty entrepreneur, fashion and makeover expert and television presenter in the UK. The brand’s inception was born with one goal: giving everyone the tools to look and be their best. Keeping product innovation at the forefront and a mission to offer effortless, personalised beauty for people of all ages, Trinny London is now one of Europe’s fastest-growing beauty brands.
Putting an end to cluttered makeup bags once and for all, Trinny London introduced a sleek solution known as “the stack”. This iconic concept involves compact, multi-tasking pots that seamlessly click together. These practical, stackable containers are filled with cream-based cosmetics such as bronzers, eyeshadows, lip gloss, and more. Later, the brand expanded its offerings to include skincare, launching a stellar collection that has caught beauty aficionados’ attention.
The brand has launched Match2Me, its innovative online tool that delivers effective makeup and skincare routines personalised to you. To find your ideal makeup shades, respond to five brief questions, and Trinny London will provide you with a thoughtfully curated selection of products and hues that bring out the best of your unique combination of skin, hair, and eye colours. To create a customised skincare regimen, you will be asked about your skin type, lifestyle, and skincare goals. Match2Me will then build a straightforward routine exclusively designed for you, even specifying how much of each product you should use and how often you should use it.
Trinny London is actively working towards minimising its carbon footprint and prioritising local sourcing whenever possible. The brand has made changes to its cardboard transit packaging to be entirely recyclable, utilising biodegradable and sustainably sourced board incorporating eco-friendly inks that are both plastic-free and ocean-friendly.
Moreover, the brand offers stackable pots designed for reuse once the product has run out, and its skincare products are conveniently available as refills.
A serum that delivers serious results
Vitamin C is one of skincare’s greatest weapons in the fight for a glowing complexion. This proven powerhouse protects from free radicals and clears up previous damage, improving the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.
Brighter skin days are within reach with Boost Up by Trinny London, a concentrated, stable vitamin C serum. Supercharge your skincare with this booster serum, expertly formulated with one of the highest concentrations — 30% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid — on the market; hence, you get the best of every “drop”. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives with superior antioxidant characteristics.
So, if you have a dull, uneven skin tone, this powerhouse is for you.
