Fresh vitamin C serum should be clear or very pale yellow and should have little to no odor. As you begin to use the serum, opening the bottle and exposing it to light and air will cause the oxidation process to begin. Over time, you may notice the color getting slightly darker or the odor changing slightly.
What color should vitamin C serum be?
“Your vitamin C serum should be colorless or a light straw color; if it oxidizes, it becomes yellow or brown and is likely going to be less effective.” You can still use it if you want, but it probably won't do as much for your skin and, “very rarely, oxidized vitamin C products can even cause slight yellow ...
Should vitamin C serum be clear or yellow?
Typically serums start out as clear and can degrade to yellow, orange, and in extreme cases all the way down to muddy brown. L-ascorbic acid (aka Vitamin C) serums should last around 3-6 months before showing any signs of discoloration.
Does timeless vitamin C oxidize?
When freshly manufactured, the 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum will be a watery consistency and cloudy in appearance. As the serum begins to age it will slowly appear more yellow in color due to the natural oxidation process. Once it turns orange or brown it's no longer an effective Vitamin C serum.
Should vitamin C serum be clear or orange?
You don't have to toss a serum if it's only slightly yellow but if it's tipping into orange, it's time to bin it. A dark orange would mean that your Vitamin C has over-oxidised and has lost a huge percentage of its efficacy.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
Is White vitamin C more effective than coloured?How do I know if my vitamin C serum is oxidized?