So, you want to use Vitamin C but your skin can’t stand it in high doses? You have 3 options:
- Use lower doses: Even 3% concentrations of Vitamin C have been proven to work – just more slowly.
- Try a derivative: It’s L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C, that irritates skin. Its derivatives, like Ascorbyl Glucoside and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, are gentler – but a little less effective.
- Go natural: Plenty of fruits and plants are loaded with Vitamin C. They’re gentler on the skin – but can’t always deliver it deep enough into the skin.
Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid chose the third route. It uses Siberian olive as a source of Vitamin C. Word on the street is, it has 30x more Vitamin C than an orange.
But can it deliver it into the skin? I’ve put it to the test to find out:
Key Ingredients In Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid
Glycerin To Hydrate Skin
Glycerin is everywhere, isn’t it? For a reason…
Glycerin is a moisture magnet. Literally. It draws moisture from the air into the skin and binds it there.
Your skin uses the extra moisture for all kinds of things: it plumps up, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller; its texture gets softer to the touch; and the whole complexion takes on a dewy glow.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
Squalane To Moisturize Skin
It’s not enough to draw moisture into the skin. You need to keep it there, too.
Enter Squalane. It’s a moisturising oil that creates a protective barrier on the skin that seals moisture in. While it’s at it, it also strengthens said barrier, making it more resistant to external aggressors, like germs and harsh winds.
The best part? Squalane is almost identical to human sebum, so it sinks in quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind.
Related: The Complete Guide To Squlane In Skincare
Siberian Olive To Fight Premature Aging
Siberian Olive is a nickname for Sea Buckthorn, small orange berries that grow in the Artic Tundra. What makes it thrive in an environment that would kill most plants?
Its high concentration of natural actives. A whooping 108, including a fair share of moisturizing fatty acids and Vitamin C.
Fatty acids are a godsend for dry skin. They seal in moisture, strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and keep skin soft and supple even in harsh weather.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals before they give you wrinkles and dark spots. It also brightens the complexion and helps boost collagen.
L-Ascorbic Acid, the most common form of Vitamin C used in cosmetics, is irritating and unstable (goes bad within a few short months).
Could Siberian Olive be a valid alternative to it? Probably. But I wish Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid had way more of it.
Siberian Olive is listed towards the end of the ingredient list, so you don’t get its full anti-aging powers… Bummer!
Related: Can You Use Vitamin C If You Have Sensitive Skin?
Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion
Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid feels more like a moisturizer than a serum. It has a lightweight, creamy texture that glides smoothly on the skin and sinks in quickly.
I like to use it in the morning, layered under sunscreen, but you can use it at night, too. It makes a lovely base that doesn’t pill or ball up when you slather something else on top.
I love how soft it makes my skin. Now the weather’s has turned chilly, the extra moisture’s very welcome. It keeps my skin soft and smooth from morning till evening.
The extra moisture also helps to plump up my skin, so that my fine lines look a little smaller. If you have oily skin, you can get away with using it as moisturiser. Your skin type doesn’t need more moisture than this.
But I didn’t see a huge difference in the brightening department. I’m used to 15% Vitamin C serums and this didn’t give me the same glow.
One more thing: Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid has a clean, natural scent that makes it a pleasure to use. I’m not the biggest fan of fragrance in skincare, but if you must have it, make it pleasant, right?
Available at: £35.00 at Look Fantastic
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Have you tried Polaar Northern Light Smoothing Fluid? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Squalane, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anhydroxylitol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Gaultheria Procumbes (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Xylitol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, CI 15985 (yellow 6), Geraniol, CI 17200 (red 33)
