Re: Tired of throwing away my Vit C serum

Wackers3 · ‎03-26-2010

Has anyone contacted Nanci at NCN and mentioned this issue? Reason I am asking is because I really saw the best results from her C serum but have not purchased since she switched back to the dropper delivery. My last bottle was still the pump.

I have been using a C serum a friend gave me that she got from her derm hence why I have not been back to NCN but I am going to have to purchase some other C serum within about a month or so and had just assumed it would be NCN = not so sure now after reading this thread.

I know Nanci was questioned on this when she did switch back to the dropper and she held firm on the stability issue - was just kind of wondering what reaction she may have if customers actually stop buying as that says volumes. Since I personally have not experienced it, I felt a bit hesitant to be the one to directly contact her since I wouldn't be able to answer any specific questions if they arose.

Just curious - it is a shame because she really does make an effective one. Maybe she should consider selling only a 1 ounce size and drop the price a bit to reflect the smaller amount. Anyone think it would remain stable in the smaller size?

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@Wackers3 it really is disappointing because I actually got great results from her vitamin C no irritation which was shocking. I have tried so many others and they all tend to irritate me skin so I was so happy to find hers and used it for years. I had voiced my concerns with the dropper when she first went back to it and we went back and forth for awhile. I think she then added the other ingredients and said it would make it more stable and she was having issues with the pump so she wouldn't go back. The odd thing is I NEVER had an issue with her pump for the few years I used it so I have no idea what she was talking about. Then she added the orange blossom to try to cover up the tiny bit of scent (which was a normal scent for those ingredients!!) to make some customers happy and I wasn't happy with that. I didn't even think it improved the scent- just made it smell like normal with a slight addition of orange blossom, lol. Anyway, long story short, I think she is pretty set on the dropper and I don't really want to fight it anymore. I wish she would have left it the way it was- both the formula and the pump. The price was good, it didn't change quickly, it was simple ingredients with no real fluff and, most importantly, it worked!

River Song · ‎03-15-2010

@suzyQ3, I forgot about ASDM's MAP Vit. C serum. I ignore it because it's formulated with grapeseed oil, rice bran oil and argan oil. I suppose it's great for those with dry skin but I have oily skin and run away from those oils, especially argon oil.

Good luck on your quest to find the perfect Vit. C serum for you. For me, it seems to be a never ending quest, lol.

Wackers3 · ‎03-26-2010

HappyDaze - I distinctly remember you posting about discussing the issue when Nanci went back to the dropper and also your disappointment with the orange blossem. It is a shame because I also never had a single issue with the pumps either so can't figure out where the problem really was.

I also recall how adamant she was about the dropper being as effective for stability which even then made little sense to me. The bottle is opened every time to use a dropper so there is absolutely no possible way it can be as protected from the air like a pump can. Her reasoning there was not solid, imo anyway. It actually kind of annoyed me that she seemed so insistent on that.

Maybe Nanci will finally rethink it if she sees a definitive decrease in orders. Sad it had to come to that but it is not as if her customers didn't express their concern when she made the change.

We can always hope anyway as I am honestly at a loss for another serum that will work as well. I will be watching the boards here to see what gets high marks from multiple users. I have tough age/sun spots due to my natural propensity for freckling anyway so really need an effective C.

Thanks~

CoG · ‎07-04-2014

Have you tried Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder? No irritation, no outdated because you aren't dealing with a suspension until you mix it with the serum of your own choosing. Worth a try? Dimitri swears by his powdered C too but I find it too coarse, gritty . Oral supplement vit C powders are crystalline but if mixed with aqueous solutions can be titrated to decrease irritation or increase potency. Paula also makes a C booster but haven't tried that one for the reasons you've stated.

Wackers3 · ‎03-26-2010

Yes, have used both Philosophy's and Skinn powders and neither did anything remarkarble for me. My skin is really resistant to letting these sun/age spots dissipate so was truly thrilled when I found NCN's formula and it worked so effectively. I have used MAP C before too and never saw any improvement.

I would assume that many of the other C serums I have used have been helpful in providing free radical protection but when you finally find "the one" that also gets rid of these nasty age/sun spots, it is frustrating to learn that the stability of the product is no longer holding up. Especially when it was in a pump container.

It is particularly irritating to me that the stability of the dropper delivery was a concern right from the start when Nanci changed back to it and that she was sooooo sure all the worries were for naught. It is just common sense that an airless pump would protect the serum so much more efficiently than a silly dropper - did she really think customers would not eventually notice if the formula was deteriorating over time ?

Certainly something to be said about that ole phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

cuddlesmama · ‎03-11-2010

@suzyQ3 wrote:
I have used and liked the NCN Vit C serum for at least a couple years now and have highly recommended it here often.

But I just had to trash my bottle because it was definitely darkening. It was probably still safe but not particularly effective. The last bottle had the same problem. The company claims that it remains stable for six months.

One of the pros of this product is it's relatively large size. It's 1.3 ounces rather than the normal one ounce. But since I use it only once a day, one bottle lasts me close to the end of its shelf life. I opened this last bottle four months ago.

I am considering either forgetting Vit C altogether or switching to a MAP-based Vit C for better stability. NuFountain makes one with an impressive and short ingredient deck. BabyFace also makes one, but the deck is much more crowded and less appealing to me.

I refrigerate mine

philogirl · ‎06-09-2010

Where do yo buy Mad Hippie? Thanks.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@philogirl wrote:
Where do yo buy Mad Hippie? Thanks.

Hi @philogirl - Don't buy it from the MH website. The site is good for information purposes but you can find it a lot cheaper other places. Do some comparison shopping online. Sometimes you might get lucky on eBay, but if you're looking for an online website/store check out Pure Formulas (free shipping on all orders), iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon, etc. About a week and a half ago, Pure Formulas had the Vitamin C serum on sale for just under $23.00. Usually it's around $27.

myshell624 · ‎02-27-2013

@aprilskies wrote:
@myshell624 wrote:
@aprilskies wrote:
I have the drunken elephant vit c and have been using it the last few days. No bad reactions but too soon to give a review for any results. The bottle says it is good for 24 mos. I have a couple dark patches on my face that I would like to lighten.

It is pricey but if it works. The packaging is very cheap in a sense. Just sort of that cheap plastic but I don't care about packaging. It is an air tight bottle. ...and I love that it is cruelty free.

It does get rave reviews so keeping my fingers crossed.
Where did you see it's good for 24 months on the bottle? I looked the box and bottle over and didn't see it.

On the bottle, on one of the sides that has no writing on it. Down on the bottom of that side. It has the little open jar symbol that reads 24 mos, you will also see a elephant and a bunny and something else.

Thanks! I found it. Are you using it everyday day? Since they say it stays on the Skin for 72 hours and it's rather pricey, I was thinking of alternating it with something else.