MAC Lightful C Serum
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MAC Lightful C Marine-Bright Formula Serum
I was looking for a Vitamin C serum when I came across this little gem by MAC and when I looked at the ingredient list I immediately fell in love with the product and "had" to try it!
WHAT IT IS:
A brightening serum that conditions and plumps skin for a smoother, more radiant look. It is a Vitamin C serum that contains algae and plant extracts with antioxidant properties.
WHAT MAC CLAIMS IT DOES:
"A concentrated yet lightweight brightening serum that evelops skin in a sheer veil of moisture. With the addition of Marine-Bright Formula and Super-Duo Charged Water, the serum now acts more powerfully to moisten, condition and plump skin for a smoother and more radiant look and feel."
KEY BENEFITS:
- Evens skin tone
- Reduce appearance of dark spots
- Minimize UV-induced dark spots over time
- Provides instant and long-term hydration
- Improves clarity, radiance and brightness
- Features Lightful signature fragrance
MAIN INGREDIENTS:
- Vitamin C => spot lightener, skin tone brightener, improvement of the appearance of sun-damaged skin, reduction of inflammation, promotion of collagen production.
- Algae extracts => Their main propertiy consists in counteracting UV-radiations thanks to their UV-absorbing compounds; they possess antioxidant and inflammation activities; they could also increase the expression of UV-suppressed genes, such as elastin and procollagen C proteinase enhancer (= anti-aging effect).
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant extracts.
PACKAGING:
The serum comes in an opaque bottle with a pump for an convenient product delievery. The serum contains many antioxidants and this type of packaging is the best to preserve the activity of these useful ingredients. It contains 30mL/ 1.0 US fl oz and I wish it would exist in larger bottles as well (let's say 50mL).
...and look at that packaging! It's gorgeous, isn't it? *v*)
HOW IT LOOKS/FEELS/SMELLS:
It is a lightweight milky gel serum that spread easily on skin and doesn't
leave any sticky residues. It is quicky absorbed. It has a light citrusy smell that is very fresh and enjoyable.
INGREDIENT LIST:
Water, Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Glycerin (humectant), Ascorbyl Glucoside (vitamin C derivative), Caffeine (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), Tocopherol (Vitamin E, antioxidant), Gentiana Lutea Root Extract (anti-inflammatory, wound healing), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, reduce redness), Porphyra Yezoensis (Algae) Extract (“sunscreen”, antioxidant), Palmaria Palmata Extract (antioxidant), Algae Extract (antioxidant), Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract (anti-inflammatory), Silk Powder (slip agent), Sodium Hyaluronate (humectant), Squalane (repairing ingredient, emollient), Tourmaline (mineral, no particular effect), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (anti-irritant) , Phenyl Trimethicone (emollient, slip agent), Magnesium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Calcium Chloride,Sodium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate.
Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients in terms of skincare. It is a very potent antioxidant able to protect the skin against environmental assaults.
It has also been shown to increase collagen production and has therefore a proven anti-aging effect. There are many many scientific studies that do prove the increase in collagen production associated with Vitamin C. With an increase in collagen production, you can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C can also reduce the appearance of skin discolorations, strengthen skin’s barrier response, enhance skin’s repair process, reduce inflammation, and help skin better withstand exposure to sunlight! All these effects of Vitamin C are scientifically proven.
As you understand introducing a Vitamin C-based serum in your skincare routine is a clever thing to do!
Porphyra Yezoensis is a red alga. Antioxidant and mycosporine-like amino acid activities have been reported for this particular alga. The mycosporine-like amino acid activiy consists in the presence of UV-absorbing compounds that can counteract UV-radiation. This means they could act as a natural sunscreen. At the moment, they are not optimized (in terms of formulation and concentration for example) to act as real sunscreen per se (they need to be combined with other sunscreen filters) but this is under investigation in the cosmetic industry. At the moment, what we can say according to the available scienfitic literature is that this alga has antioxidant properties and can therefore protect your skin from oxidative stress caused by sun exposure (1, 2).
Palmaria Palmata is another red alga with similar properties (3).
From a general point of view, many algae contain UV-absorbing compounds. They may modulate the expression of genes associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin aging caused by UV and therefore can protect the cells. And that is why they are more and more used in cosmetics.
If you want to read more about algae and prevention of deleterious effects of sun exposure, you can read this interesting article here.
THOUGHTS:
As I said at the beginning of the article, I was pleansantly surprised to find this serum by MAC. To be honest, I thought MAC was only great for makeup and had no clue that their skincare line would be that awesome. After reading the ingredient list I was immediately seduced by this little bottle.
This serum contains ingredients with scientifically proven effects and that's why I love it. It contains Vitamin C, which is a true anti-aging molecule thanks to its ability to increase collagen production and to help fade fine lines and wrinkles. It also reduces the appearance of skin discoloration and dark spots. Other ingredients include alga and plant extracts with antioxidant properties to protect the skin. There is a good mixture of antioxidants and anti-irritant ingredients in there to increase skin protection.
The texture is also very nice. It's a lightweight serum that is suitable for all skin type and it's a pleasure to use it.
I've just finished the bottle (1 bottle lasted about 3 months for me) and noticed some plumping and brightening effects. My skin also feels smoother and even! Of course, for these effects you will have to continually use the product for at least 4 weeks.
Overall I'm really happy with this serum and I will use it again! I'm also interested in the lotion of this line now ;D
Have you already tried this serum or another MAC skincare product?
Purchase info
In Switzerland MAC products can be purchased in some Manor, Globus, Douglas, Jelmoli or online at maccosmetics.ch. There is also a MAC Store in Lucern.
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