I first heard of Regimen Lab from Sarah of No BS Beauty, and shortly after watched Dr. Dray’s brand review. I was so pleasantly surprised to learn that a science-backed, peer-reviewed skincare brand existed in Toronto, Canada, where I’m from!
When I looked at Regimen Lab’s website for the first time, I really liked what I saw. Here’s the breakdown of their brand, products, and website in general:
- Products made for us skincare nerds
- Only use ingredients backed by thorough, independent scientific evidence
- Use the best ingredients in their highest effective concentrations
- Formulation, sourcing, production are all done in their lab
- Curate specific products with a cocktail of beneficial ingredients, don’t release based on an individual key ingredient
- List the pH of each product
- An encyclopedia of skincare ingredients
- Informative blog posts
- No fear-mongering “free of” marketing, but just say that their products do not contain common concerns to make their skincare as straight to the point as possible
- Cruelty-free
Perusing their website more, it is probably the first time in a while I felt like I was learning something new about skincare. All coming from a skincare brand no less! I find their encyclopedia on skincare ingredients and blog very insightful and I feel like a skincare student again.
After checking out what they have to offer and rave reviews, I was very keen on trying Regimen Lab products. I bought skincare items seemed to suit my skin needs – Vitamin X serum, Wave Serum, and C.R.E.A.M. I have been incorporating all of these items in my skincare routine one by one. It has been rotated over the course of a few of months, so I’m ready to share my experience with you all!
In this post, I will be reviewing the Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum. I originally attempted to review all 3 items in this post, but as you can imagine, it got quite lengthy!
General Information on Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum
“Vitamin X is packed with more antioxidants, in the highest clinically proven concentrations, than anything before it. It’s the antioxidant of the future, but we got it here a little sooner.” – regimenlab.com
Price: $59 CAD/$47 USD
Amount: 30ml
Packaging: Opaque white bottle with an aireless pump
pH: 3.0
Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum Ingredients
Aqua, Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Acetyl Zingerone, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Genistein, Quercetin, Silymarin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid
We see the Ascorbic Acid (AA), Ferulic Acid, and Tocopherol trifecta all at a lovely low pH of 3.0. I saw the brand was doing a Q&A on instagram so I asked there what the percentage of LAA was. They answered with 15%! So to all the vitamin C conoisseurs out there, the Vitamin X serum hits the bells and whistles.
But as advertised, this is more than just a vitamin C serum. We can’t forget the 8 other antioxidants in the formula! EGCG, Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone also have soothing properties. Definitely a nice bonus, as AA at a low pH can irritate my skin. This has always been a struggle for me when trying to find a vitamin C serum!
Regimen Lab also highlights 2% Acetyl Zingerone helps reduce immediate and delayed DNA damage. Dimethulmethoxy Chromanol provides double scavenging action against reaction nitrogen and oxygen species.
Genistein helps reduce UVB-induced redness. Silymarin adds some skin-conditioning benefit (I feel like a lot of plant-derived skincare offers some moisturizing ability…).
Lets not forget good ol’ Glycerin – one of the best humectants out there and always welcome in a skincare product.
Another interesting point to make note: Regimen Lab also shared on their Instagram Q&A that the Vitamin X Serum (as well as the other products) are good for up to a year. Without refigeration. Actually, they said not to refigerate Vitamin X as it was formulated to be stable at room temperature.
My Experience Using Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum
Upon first pump, I did get thrown off that the colour was a bright neon yellow. The brand did explain that this is the natural colour. I have been using it daily in my AM skincare routine for a couple of months. I haven’t noticed any intense oxidization until the 3rd month when the colour became deeper.
Texture and Application
The texture is not watery like I’m used to using, but a rather slippy, runny gel. As mentioned, I use the Vitamin X Serum in the AM after applying a hydrating toner or essence. One pump is enough to cover my entire face and neck. Regimen Lab suggests to wait 5 minutes for maximum absorption until following up with the rest of your skincare routine. I personally just wait until it feels like it settled on my skin then continue. I don’t like waiting long between steps because I run the risk of dehydration.
Experience
First time I applied the serum, I did feel a little bit of irritation. I have not experienced this since so overall I find it gentle. It also leaves a bit of a moisturizing layer on my skin.
Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum maintains a bright complexion on my skin. Even in recent times where I have been going to the beach a lot, my skin does not look compromised. It didn’t do anything to prevent freckles (I don’t really care). However I have noticed it performs well alongside my tretinoin to reduce the colour and longevity of post-acne red marks. I used to get very dark red marks after dealing with a breakout. It would take 6 months minimum for them to fade. I’ve noticed this since using gentler, properly formulated vitamin C serums that they disappear significantly faster. I’d say within a couple of months. With the Vitamin X Serum in particular, I also notice my skin is looking smoother.
Unfortunately you can’t have so many good things without a little bad involved. One major con I have with this serum is that it does oxidize after a few months. I tried to remove my bias of using clear coloured vitamin C serums and continued using Vitamin X. (Recently I have read that this could be refigerated, darn!)
I also started to notice blackheads on my nose, around my nose, and faded black dots all over my chin. The only time I experience blackheads like this is in the summer with too many emollient layers. In addition, I have been continuing the same skincare routine as I had in the summer months. Why am I getting these blackheads? Well, it’s because the vitamin C in the Vitamin X Serum has oxidized, and it’s showing on my face.
My Final Thoughts on Regimen Lab Vitamin X Serum
Regimen Lab’s Vitamin X Serum has the bells and whistles I’m looking for in a vitamin C serum. LAA-F-E combo and a hell of a lot more antioxidant prowess (I’ve been liking this word recently lol). It is quite a pricey serum at $59 CAD for a 30ml bottle. But I believe it is worth it considering its formula and that you use it in a timely manner.
Vitamin C has been one of the biggest-love hate products for me for quite a while because:
- finding the right formula
- whether or not it is gentle
- price
- accepting that there are some results I will not see unless I use it longterm.
With Regimen Lab’s Vitamin X Serum, it has a lot of benefits. It fits in my skincare routine, I like the texture, I see the brightening, post-acne mark fading benefits, it’s gentle, my skin feels smoother, it feels like it adds a touch of moisture to my skin, it’s local (or was local, currently in Europe lol)…
It is one of the best vitamin C serums – or antioxidant serum I have come across. I am considering repurchasing, but right now I actually repurchased the Geek & Gorgeous 101 C-Glow Serum (reviewed). I also want to try NIOD’s Survival 0. It may be 2 products, but I want to see if both would last longer. I’ve used 2 bottles of C-Glow in the past and it kept for a long time when stored in the fridge.
Where to Buy: Regimen Lab Official Website
As always, I hope you find posts like this helpful and informative!
XO, M
