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BY WISHTREND Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum
ByWishtrend,  serum

ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum

the claim

The ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum serum claims to improve overall skin tone and texture. It is formulated with 10 essential ingredients for a fast and effective result.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum
 

the science

Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin. It has many healing properties including the ability to decrease sun damage and dehydration plus reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Ascorbic acid (often referred to as L-ascorbic acid) is considered its most potent form, highly effective at concentrations over 20%, in this case, 21.5%. Studies have found that using Vitamin C topically for at least 12 weeks can result in a visible decrease in wrinkles and skin damage, improvement in skin texture and tone and a boost in collagen production (which reduces with age).

Vitamin C is also easily absorbed into the skin, assisting to decrease water loss and boost moisture retention making it a great hydrating agent for dry skin. Furthermore, it enhances the skin’s ability to repair itself, speeding up cell turnover with an increased ability to remove accumulated dead and damaged skin cells. As a result, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring concerns are eased by breaking up dark spots and rejuvenating dull skin for a brighter complexion and improved texture. However, one major disadvantage of ascorbic acid is its instability, oxidising with air exposure, heat and light.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum Box
 
Sea Buckthorn is a skin super food comprising Vitamins C and E, folic acid, carotenoids, omega fatty acids and flavonoids. These impressive components give it the ability to reduce wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and photoageing as well as stimulate collagen production. It’s also good for acne as it helps to keep pores clean. Sea buckthorn water dominates the other ingredients in the formula, represented at a high concentration of 70%.

Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid, used to moisturise the skin. Hyaluronic acid forms naturally in the body but also decreases with age. Thus adding sodium hyaluronate to the formula improves skin moisture content. Derived from lactic acid, Sodium Lactate is a salt that is naturally produced in the skin and one of the Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs). It’s a superior moisturizer, increasing the moisture content of skin by up to 84% with a water holding capacity second only to Sodium Hyaluronate.

Vitamin B5, Panthenol reaches into the lower layers for deep cell absorption and effective moisturisation. Allantoin also boosts water-retention capacity, providing skin replenishing and restoring benefits. Finally, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help Chinese Senna Seed Extract soothe irritation, acne, inflammation and redness.
 

the ingredients

Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Water (70%), Ascorbic Acid (21.5%), Sodium Lactate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Cassia Obtusifolia (Chinese Senna) Seed Extract, Allantoin, Xantan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C Ingredients
 

the analysis

Consisting of a short list of 10 ingredients free of harmful chemicals, the CosDNA and EWG assessments return a low hazard rating.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C CosDNA Analysis
 

the packaging

The serum comes in a dark brown glass bottle with a screw top dropper dispenser. When new, in order to prevent it prematurely oxidising, it is secured with a screw top lid and plastic seal, the dropper hygienically provided in a separate pack as shown below.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C packaging
 

the application

Apply an adequate amount to the face and lightly tap to help absorption.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C Directions
 

the scent

The serum is free of artificial fragrance and has no natural scent either.
 

the cost

A 30ml bottle costs USD$30.00.
 

the availability

The ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum is available from Wishtrend and Yes Style.
 

the expiry

This serum has a shelf life of 20 months and must be used within 6 months of opening. I purchased mine in November 2018 which coincides with the month of manufacture, assuring product freshness.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C Expiry
 

the performance

I have been using a 20% Vitmamin C serum in my morning routine for over two years now without fail. Over this period, I have seen significant improvements in the texture and clarity of my skin. As it has been such a consistent application, I didn’t expect this serum to really show much improvement, but rather, hoped it would just provide me consistency.

The ByWishtrend serum continued where my previous 20% L-ascorbic acid serum left off. It had no negative impact on my skin, even thought the LAA was slightly higher (21.5%). There was never any irritation throughout the three months of continuous use. I was pleased that it was delivered so fresh, manufactured just days prior to receipt. I stored it in the fridge and it remained as clear on the last day as the day I opened it with no signs of oxidation.

The formula comprises just 10 ingredients that are free from parabens and other harmful substances. There was evidence of crystalised deposits on the dropper lid which is quite common due to the high concentration of ascorbic acid. ByWishtrend assures that this in no way affects the product efficacy and I would agree in practice that this is the case. You just have to be careful not to mix the crystals with the serum in application as their texture is harsh.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C crystalised deposits
It applies easily, having the appearance of water although is slightly more viscous. I use it in the morning every day on a clean face either before or straight after a hydrating toner, layering it early to maximize its absorption into the skin. It leaves no residue or stickiness, rather gets immediately soaked in. It has no smell or physical sensation on application, although its acidic nature will cause stinging if it is applied to broken or irritated skin. Use it cautiously if you are new to Vitamin C, particularly at this concentration. I finish my morning routine with sunscreen.

In terms of the effects, I was very happy with its performance. Not only did it maintain the bright skin tone that my previous Vitamin C serum had achieved, but I believe it outshone it. My skin appears generally better. Although the texture seems unchanged, my tone is especially bright. With regard to fading pigmentation, I don’t have acne scars since this is not a condition I suffer and the only discolouration of concern are a couple of small, light patches caused from sun damage, a result of not applying sunscreen vigilantly in my youth. I have not had any success shifting these with Vitamin C and expect this sort of pigmentation is beyond the capabilities of such a serum.
 

the conclusion

I love the Timeless 20% Vitmamin C serum and didn’t expect to find another serum as effective in that price bracket. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the ByWishtrend serum. This has become my new favourite.

I would totally recommend this for seasoned LAA users. Beginners should opt for the new 15% release which is gentler with similar results.
 
ByWishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum
 

the summary

Pros Cons
Safe formula without harmful ingredients Only available online
Potent, effective LAA concentration Not suitable for those new to LAA
Improves brightness and skin tone Needs refrigeration (nature of LAA)
Non sticky, fast absorption
No irritation
Suitable for all skin types

 

the references

Wishtrend webisite
What Are Vitamin C’s Benefits For Skin? Into the Gloss
How does Vitamin C help my skin Paula’s Choice Skincare
The incredible skincare benefits of Vitamin C! Nourished Life
Revitalize Aging Skin with Topical Vitamin C Gary Goldfaden, MD
Sea Buckthorn Berries, the Superfood for Your Skin AnneMarie Skin care
Sea Buckthorn Truth In Aging
Sodium Hyaluronate SkincareStore
Panthenol Truth In Aging
Sodium Lactate Ingredients to Die For
Allantoin, the wonder ingredient for the skin Samantha Miller
Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Senna Plant StyleCraze
 


the disclaimer

Please read in context with my disclaimer.
 


 

8 Comments

  • PY

    Is it a must to refrigerate? I am using now and I did not put in the fridge. So far, no discoloration happens yet.

    Thanks

    • denise

      If you’re in a hot climate, I would say yes, it is a must. If not, I would still recommend it as you will likely find it starts to discolour when you’re half way through the bottle. I have read several reports from others who didn’t refrigerate this particular serum claiming it oxidized quickly. From my experience, I have found that potent LAA serums will start to show yellowing after around 8 weeks if they are not refrigerated.

  • Paloma

    Hello! Excellent reviews, they are all so helpful with trying to decipher ingredient lists. Just curious, I know in your review about the jeffrey james Light serum you said that that was very comparable to the Timeless C serum and you would continue using Jeffrey’s. Does this Wishtrend replace your Light serum now? Just wondering which one you rate the highest. Thank you!

    • denise

      Hi and thanks for reading.

      The JJ is a great option that I’ve used in the past between L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA) serums since it doesn’t degrade quickly. I like to have something like this on hand in case I run out of LAA.

      LAA serums are definitely superior Vitamin C derivatives and more effective at delivering the many benefits of this ingredient. They’re simply more potent. The By Wishtrend one is probably my favourite but it is strong so if you’re not used to over 20% concentration, I suggest trying their new one (just released a few weeks ago) which is 15% LAA – similar results but less potent. I hope to do a review on this soon.

      Hope that helps.

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