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Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid
serum,  Timeless

Timeless Vitamin C Serum

the claim

The Timeless Vitamic C + E + Ferulic Acid serum claims to even skin tone and help build collagen for a fully nourished, replenished, flawless and ageless look.
 
Timeless Vitamin Serum Regular and Refill Sizes
 

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. As such, it is considered a superstar ingredient in skincare.
 
Vitamin C comes in several forms. Ascorbic acid (often referred to as L-ascorbic acid) is considered it’s most potent, highly effective at concentrations of 20% and above. 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.
 
Timeless Vitamin C bottle and packaging
As we age, the skin’s ability to produce collagen decreases. An abundance assures we are wrinkle free in our youth but as the years pass, fine lines begin to appear. Vitamin C can help to regulate the production of collagen. Topical vitamin C has also been shown to reverse some of the age-related structural changes in the skin, however, its not always apparent in everyone and cannot totally eliminate wrinkles either.
 
Due to their strong antioxidant properties, Vitamin C together and Ferulic Acid, display a proven ability to limit the impact of overexposure to UV rays, protecting against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals. Neither is a sunscreen substitute however, when applied with sunscreen, they present a formidable opponent in the fight against sun damage.
 
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, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as the one major disadvantage of using Vitamin C in its most potent form (ascorbic acid), is its instability. It will degrade with exposure to air, heat and light. Once oxidized, it’s of no further benefit. Effectiveness reduces with continued oxidation, until it is proven completely useless. The stability of topical vitamin C may however be increased by combining it with Vitamin E.
 
Alpha Tocopherol is the Vitamin E component in the formula contributing rich antioxidants to help combat the damaging effects of free radicals. Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid, used to moisturise the skin. Hyaluronic acid forms naturally in the body but decreases with age. This inclusion boosts the skin’s moisture content and enhances its ability to retain it.
 
A handful of other ingredients also serve their purpose in this formula. Ethoxydiglycol is a solvent used to decrease viscosity; Propylene Glycol is a humectant used to keep products from melting or from freezing and Dehydroacetic Acid, a preservative. Benefits of Panthenol include its ability to be readily and deeply absorbed, permitting it to infuse water into the cells and retain moisture.
 
Based on the properties of the formula, it appears that science backs the product claims.
 

the ingredients

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L-Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Alpha Tocopherol, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzylalcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
 
Timeless Vitamic C Ingredient List
 

the analysis

Consisting of a relatively short list of ingredients and with claims of paraben, colour and fragrance free composition with less fillers, the clean results of the CosDNA analysis and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (returning a low hazard rating of 3/10) are not surprising.
 
Timeless Vitamic C CosDNA Analysis
 

the packaging

The serum comes in a dark blue glass bottle with a screw top dropper dispenser.
 
Timeless Vitamin C Packaging
 

the application

Apply a few drops to fingertips and smooth evenly onto cleansed skin morning and/or night. For external use only. Sunscreen use recommended after application.
 

the scent

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

the cost

A 30ml bottle costs USD$25.95. Alternatively, there is a 120ml refill option for USD$70.95. Shipping to Australia is however expensive and often subject to change.
 
Given the short lifespan of this product, it’s only worth getting the 120ml bottle if you’re planning to share with a friend, in which case, you can also split the shipping costs making it more reasonable. The 30ml bottle should last the full life expectancy of the serum which is 3 months. Refrigerating extends that to up to 5 months.
 
Timeless also offer multi-purchase discounts.10% discount applies when you purchase 2 items, 20% with 3 and 30% with 4 or more items. Keep in mind they have been known to offer their full range at 40% discount and free shipping for local orders only, over the value of USD$100.00, so well worth waiting for this if you’re not in a hurry.
 
Timeless Vitamin Serum 120ml Refill
 

the availability

Timeless is a US company. Their products ship from there and they also have a few international partners, although none in Australia. The serum is available at the company website. They guarantee product freshness when you order from them so, given how time critical this can be, I would only ever order directly. You may however purchase from third party resellers like Amazon but no such guarantee applies.
 

the expiry

Timeless clearly states that this serum has a 3 month shelf life, commencing from the date of purchase (not date of opening). It can however be extended with refrigeration for up to around 5 months. I usually split the serum into a second bottle and keep the stored one in the refrigerator (in an opaque package) and the one I am using in the box it came in within a drawer (away from light). I have had really good success in preserving it and using it all up without waste by following this process. It still retains a reduced effectiveness as it goes through the oxidation process however once it turns brown/red, it is should be discarded.
 

the performance

There is no doubt that Vitamin C is an essential ingredient in any comprehensive skincare routine, reinforced by extensive benefits identified in scientific studies. Ascorbic acid skincare products can be extremely expensive. In comparison, this option from Timeless is well priced. The packaging is good, the dark bottle minimizing light absorption but not as air tight as that from say the Drunk Elephant. But then again, who wants to spend USD$80.00 on 30ml of Vitamin C when a perfectly good alternative is available? Another high end option (also with a dropper dispensing system) is from SkinCeuticals, 30ml selling for a whopping USD$165.00!!! Note, both these serums include ascorbic acid at a 15% concentration, 5% less than the Timeless version. Whether these luxury alternatives are better is irrelevant, since as far as I’m concerned, the benefits of the Timeless equivalent are outstanding. As I include Vitamin C in my skincare regimen continuously, I really can’t afford to be spending this amount four times year on just one routine step.
 
This serum applies easily, having the consistently and appearance of water. I use it in the morning every day on a clean face either before or straight after a hydrating toner to maximize its absorption into the skin by making it one of the first layers. It leaves no residue or stickiness, rather gets immediately soaked right in. This serum layers beautifully and does not interfere with other products in my routine. It has no smell or physical sensation on application, at least for me. However, being quite acidic, it will cause stinging to irritated or broken skin so should be used with caution. I finish my morning routine with sunscreen, particularly since acids can make skin more sensitive to UV radiation.
 
As to the results, well I really enjoy using this serum because of its lightweight nature and easy integration into my routine. After continuous use, I can definitely see improvements in my skin, tone becoming less patchy and more even. My face looks fresher and my skin looks healthier.
 
It’s hard to say whether fine lines have benefited from this product, or rather from the combination of the Vitamin C with other anti-agers I have used simultaneously. The protective and brightening characteristics of this serum alone, make it worthwhile. If I can gain some level of wrinkle/fine line softening over time and achieve the “flawless, ageless look” promised, then that would be one extraordinary bonus! I don’t think I’m there just yet!
 

the conclusion

Due to its undeniable efficacy, this serum has become a staple that will remain for a long time in my morning routine. I would totally recommend it to anyone looking for a good antioxidant serum, although those unfamiliar with Vitamin C may want to start with something gentler. Alternatively, it can be gradually introduced into a routine, perhaps once or twice a week or mixed with another product to ease its potency.
 

the summary

Pros Cons
Natural and paraben free Only available online
More actives, less chemicals Shipping to Australia is expensive
Improves brightness and skin tone Oxidizes quickly
Non greasy, non sticky, fast absorption
Suitable for all skin types
No colour or fragrance

 

the references

Timeless 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
Ethoxydiglycol Truth In Aging
Propylene Glycol Paula’s Choice Skincare
Sodium Hyaluronate SkincareStore
Benefits of Panthenol in Skin Care Naked Chemist
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) Xtend Life

 


the disclaimer

Please read in context with my disclaimer.
 


 

5 Comments

    • denise

      Hi Christina, thanks for your interest and question. I like to use the Vitamin C serum first to maximize its absorption and hence benefit so I apply it straight after cleansing. For the same reason I would apply the Matrixyl serum next. I have had good results using them in this sequence, once a day. If your hydrating serum is a little thicker in consistency (like mine), it makes sense to apply this last as the general rule of layering skincare is to do it from lightest, most watery consistency to the heaviest/oiliest. If you’re using a hydrating toner as opposed to a hydrating serum, it can be applied before or after Vitamin C. Just allow each layer time to absorb. Also when using multiple serums in the one routine, if they are similar in consistency, the order you apply them in should be governed by what benefit you wish to achieve most. Just be careful not to mix acids, add too many layers in one routine or ingredients that don’t coexist well together. These serums should usually be applied no more than once a day, so perhaps limit your layers to two serums per routine to get the most from your skincare. Hope that helps!

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