BlackBox Cosmetics has raised the bar taking Vitamin C serums to the next level. With the new product Tetra C-15, we've added more of what you want and less of what you don't want. Still packaged in airless containers and still paraben and toxin free, by bumping up the vitamin C content to 15%, we've increased the potency and results by up to 5 times that of regular Vitamin C, with minimal other ingredients.
Your skin has a protective layer called the acid mantle. It's made up of sebum from the sebaceous glands, broken down by enzymes on the skin into free fatty acids, sweat, comprised of lactic acid and aminos secreted by our bodies, and dead skins, that are amino acids, and acids that contribute to the moisture barrier. The acid mantle is, not surprisingly, acidic and has a natural pH of 4.5-5.5.
The job of the acid mantle is pretty simple, protect the skin. The acid mantle provides a layer of oils and tightly woven skin cells and lipid layers that waterproof the skin, and help the skin retain moisture by providing a barrier that stops moisture from escaping. The acid mantle also protects the skin from bacteria and fungi. The mantle is a delicate balance that can be disrupted by many factors, the most common being pollutants and environmental stresses like cold, wind, heat and commonly used facial products. But it also makes it more difficult for the beneficial ingredients in your skincare to be readily absorbed into the skin's deeper layers where they can do the most benefit.
Penetrating the acid mantle can prove to be a issue, specifically when it comes to topical vitamin C serums. Many Vitamin C serums on the market today use Ascorbic acid as the main source of Vitamin C. Ascorbic Acid is a water soluble form of the vitamin and does not perpetrate this protective fatty lipid layer. On the contrary, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is fat soluble and not only easily penetrates the protective layer, where it can do the most benefit, but it is stable and resistant to oxidation. Research has shown that tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is significantly more absorbable and effective at fighting free radical damage, boosting healthy collagen production and reducing wrinkle depth than ascorbic acid.[1]
Some of the benefits of this research has shown the benefits of Tetrahexyldecyl versus Ascorbic Acid. [2]
~ at 0.1% reduces melanin synthesis by 80%.
~ at 10% eliminates age spots in 16 weeks.
~ at 0.1% in vitro increases collagen by 50%.
~ increases collagen synthesis at least twice as much as ascorbic acid.
~ protects the cells against UV-B better than other esters of Vitamin C. [3]
In addition, while vitamin C is essential for skin health and repair, in higher doses it can also be very irritating, especially if you have any conditions that include impairment of the acid mantle, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, even acne in some cases. A good quality Vitamin C serum with the fat soluble form of vitamin C can be incredibly beneficial for these conditions. The tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate form of Vitamin C is a fat soluble and readily absorbs into the skin and does not cause irritation. It is best to choose serums that do not contain Ascorbic Acid as the only form of Vitamin C and patch test if you have skin condition that effects the acid mantle of the skin. Please pair your Vitamin C serums with sulfate free face washes as sulfates damage the acid mantle of the skin.
Formulated in our aloe base, Tetra C 15 contains several ingredients that work synergistically with Vitamin C including DMAE, Hyaluronic acid, Squaline, Ferulic Acid, MSM, Blue Green Algae and Vitamin E, to assist in age spot removal, fine line reversal, improved skin clarity/tone, and collagen development) in only a few weeks of use. This product is also scent free. We're sure you will love our Tetra C 15 serum, contact us with any questions.