---

I bought my first serum from a market stall not really knowing what vitamin C was - I like a bargain and it was a well known brand relatively cheap! However, the first time I used vitamin C serum I really noticed a difference. My skin was brighter, more alive looking and a lot softer. I sat up and took notice of this little miracle liquid that I had stumbled upon accidentally.

Knowing what this wonderful serum can do I wondered if you could make it at home?

The answer is yes: however before I give you the recipe I will tell you a few facts about how it works and what benefits to our skin there are for using one of the best vitamin C serums around - our own homemade recipes.

Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid which is water soluble and found in citrus fruits. It protects against the harmful rays of the sun which can cause cancer - vitamin c will provide us with some protection against the sun's rays but please don't use it alone as you will still need a good sun barrier cream.

1. It will lighten and brighten your skin and can even fade acne marks.

2. Fight free radical - vitamin c is a great anti age serum fighting free radicals and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Vitamin C has a calming effect on your skin helping deal with the damage that stress by pollution and our environment cause.

4. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen which maintains the health of the skin and heals wounds

5. Vitamin C is best bought as ascorbic acid but beware as its shelf life is very short and because of this it is also very expensive.

If your product has a yellow tinge it means that it has begun to oxidise and therefore will not work as effectively. Beware of products which come as a yellow or brown cream/liquid as they may be trying to cover up oxidisation.

The one thing you will know by making your own best vitamin C serum is that all ingredients are fresh and therefore active.

Before you use our homemade recipe please do a skin patch test. Taking a little of the serum dab it behind your ear and leave for 24 hours. If the area is itchy or inflamed, please do not use this product. You may experience some stinging the first few times you apply serum: this is normal.

Best Vitamin C Serum - homemade recipe

• 1grm of Vitamin C or as it's known L-ascorbic acid
• 5ml glycerine
• 5ml water or rose water

Mix ingredients together well. Vitamin C Serum can be used all over the body. For a runnier serum use less glycerine.

Best stored in the refrigerator.