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I love Vitamin C, but I’ve had mixed experiences with the oil-soluble versions that are often recommended for sensitive skin. Stable and less irritating? Sure. But that oily feeling? Not for me. So, I was skeptical about the Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe Vitamin C Serum using an oil-soluble derivative of Ascorbic Acid and not exactly cheap at 82 €.
Would it be worth the money? Let’s see.
What the Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe Vitamin C Serum claims
Supercharge your skin’s radiance each morning with C-Tetra Luxe; clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation in just 4 weeks.*
It also works to boost visible radiance while supporting the skin barrier.
Featuring twice the amount of vitamin C (14%) of our original C-Tetra serum, C-Tetra Luxe is ideal for those looking for enhanced skin radiance and antioxidant protection alongside deep nourishment.
The velvety-soft serum is formulated with a stabilised (and therefore very potent) form of vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (pronounced ‚tetra-hexul-deckul as-CORR-bate‘), which delivers proven results after just 1 use*; all with a gentle, nourishing experience for your skin.
Facts about the Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum
Prize and size
One dropper bottle made from dark brown glass contains 30 ml and is available for 82 € on the website here. There is also a travel size containing 8 ml for those that want to test the waters first.
Texture and smell
I mentioned that the texture of most oil soluble Vitamin C serums wasn’t to my personal liking due to the, well, oiliness, but the Medik8 version manages to be lightweight despite having an oil as carrier. Yes, there is more slip to it than a water based serum would have, but it never felt heavy or oily on my face. There is a faint, but really pleasant scent of citrus fruits, not like in air freshener, but more like you enter a room where someone ate an orange half an hour ago.
How to use the Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum
You can use the serum in the morning or at night, depending on your preferences. Most people use it in the morning to maximize antioxidant protection, but for collagen production and brightening, nighttime works just as well. It goes on after cleansing and after essence or toner, should you use them, but before moisturizer and/ or sunscreen.
As my morning routine is pretty set year round and I have a water based Vitamin C in it, I put in in my night time routine where the slightly more nourishing texture was appreciated. Unlike other more oily serums I have tried I never had any issues with pilling.
Ingredients of the Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum
sii|emo 0 1, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil emo 0 0–2, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate aox|sb, Dimethicone emo 0 1, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment amic|surf, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil 
perf, Ethyl Linoleate emo|perf, Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil emo, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emo 0 0, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil aox|emo 0 0–2, Panax Ginseng Root Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil emo 0 1–3, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil emo 0 1–2, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer emo, Limonene perf|solv, Citral perf, Linalool perf, Geraniol perfHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Looking at the ingredient list you will find Jojoba Oil and Squalane as carrier – no water, which contributes to the stability of the formula as well as silicone and then Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, present at 14% according to the brand. You might remember that Ascorbic Acid is usually used at between 5 and 20%, with Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate needing a lower concentration due to its better skin penetration. (More info: The benefits of Vitamin C in skincare explained)
Then there is Vitamin E for additional antioxidant benefits, which help to stabilize the formula and provide additional protection against free radical damage, and Grapefruit Peel Oil – I assume for the scent. With the Grapefruit Peel Oil comes Limonene, Citral, Linalool and Geraniol, all potential allergens. If the lovely scent is worth that probably depends on your skin individual sensitivities. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare dangerous?)
More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
It has antioxidant abilities and will help brighten the skin.
How does it compare to…
Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow Serum
This is my favorite Vitamin C, and has been for a few years now. It has Ascorbic Acid, not a derivative, and is water based. I use it in the mornings and whatever I try, I keep coming back to it.
You can read my full review of the Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow Serum here.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Now this is called a face oil, but feels quite similar to the serum from Medik8 in that it is nourishing, but still lightweight. Biossance also uses Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, but doesn’t disclose the percentage, and smells of roses rather than of citrus.
You can read my full review of the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil here.
Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C
The Omorovicza offer for sensitive skin has more of a lotion than a serum character and uses another Vitamin C derivative, Sodium Ascorbyle Phosphate. Just like Medik8 they have the fragrant components Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol and Citronellol present, which is a little strange in a product aimed at sensitive skin.
You can read my full review of the Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
Overall, I enjoyed the Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum much more than I expected. The lightweight texture and subtle, pleasant scent were definite wins. But with the price point and my preference for Ascorbic Acid, I’ll probably stick to my current favorite. If you’re someone who finds regular Ascorbic Acid too irritating and don’t mind the price (or the Grapefruit Peel Oil), this is a lovely, gentle option that I highly recommend.
Shop Medik8 here
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