BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Skin Refiner 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Most Helpful Positive Review

Texture is finicky as other reviewers said, BUT

As other reviewers mentioned, the texture of the product is not the easiest to work with, especially when it comes to trying to layer the product. However, after a few months of use, with lots of trial and error that involved pilling and adjusting my routine around this product, I LOVE IT. I will sa...y if you are looking for a Vitamin C product that has a true serum feel and is easily layers with other products right off the batt, this may not be for you. However, if you truly want the results a high potency vitamin C serum has to offer and are willing to spend some time to fit it into your routine to get those results, this is the one! Because it is a strong formula, I definitely recommend starting out use with one or two times a week as your skin tolerates it. I have pretty resilient skin when it comes to sensitivity but this formula IS strong and could be considered harsh IMO. but I don't mind that when the product really works. Texture: As other reviewers said, this product is not smooth immediately upon application. It comes out of the bottle looking like a thick cream but sinks into the skin like a serum like sinks in FAST. There are small (one could say sharp) beads in the formula that break down and dissipate as your apply it. But that's if the skin is properly prepped for the product. When trying to apply this over other serums, toners, Essence, ect. The texture does not play well with layering in the wrong order. This is confusing IMO especially when trying to follow the "thin to thick" layering method because it is a thick consistency out of the bottle. It pills up reallllyy badly and feels gritty when put over/under something else in the wrong order. However, once you find the order IT wants to be applied, it applies beautifully, leaves a very soft, dry finish and sinks in really nice. My thoughts on layering with the texture: The product definitely has to be applied correctly in order to even sink into the skin. Directions say to apply to clean dry skin and this is how it should be applied. It does pill up even over some toners/essences. But now that my skin is acclimated to the product and can tolerate it, I find it works best when applied to skin wet with toner/Essence. This is how I can even use it with an essence before it. However, this is only true for a select few toners. I basically "test" a tiny amount of the next product on my lover jaw to see it it will pill, if not it's a winner and I know I can apply it without pilling. Really annoying IMO. If a product pills up when put over this, I try applying it first and use the same method to test for pilling. When layering with this, you want to wait until products are totally dry and have sunk into the skin before applying the next. (Except when it is just a toner and then this but I don't recommend this as it's not recommended on the bottle, it's just what works for me) As I mentioned above, there are small sharp beads in the formula, they do not dissolve if the skin is prepped wrong. Now that I can use this without pilling or the beads sitting on the skin, the beads go away before they scratch the skin and I enjoy them/don't notice them. Results: I can't find it now, but I read somewhere about using this with retinoids (it's so effective you may find you don't need them) and honestly, this product does work better than some retinoids I've used. With consistent use you WILL see results. I saw results with this, even just minor, after the first day of use. Texture, dark marks, and overall skin health has improved with this. More than any other vitamin c I've used. It has also helped my acne tremendously which I can't say any vitamin c has done at all. I get less breakouts and they heal faster and with less scars. Final thoughts: this would be an easy 5 stars if the texture wasn't so difficult to work with. Texture alone is a 2 But the results are so good it brings it back to a 4 for me. Because of the In ability to layer some products that are non negotiable for me, I use this once a day,(usually in the evening because this is a very stable vitamin c that I can use a retinoid with and I want it to be able to do it's best work which I'm sleeping) and apply the products that don't work well with it in the morning/evening that I don't use this, along with an alternative vitamin c serum. The results I've seen with this are good enough that I will continue to use it and have already purchased a backup. The wonders it's don't for my acne alone are enough, not to mention how much brighter and healthy my skin looks.