I compared three Vitamin C body lotions, so you don’t have to

Every other week, brands launch a new body lotion with Vitamin C and slap the term “brightening” on it. *rolls eyes*. Vitamin C is an amazing antioxidant that helps our skin produce more collagen (fountain of youth) and prevent skin discoloration. However, that a product contains Vitamin C alone is no guarantee that it will brighten the skin especially ethnic (dark skin). There are other things to look out for; if the formula contains supporting ingredients like depigmenting agents or ingredients that boost skin cell turnover… and of course, user reviews too and that’s where you have me *wink wink* to give you the best of both worlds. 

I’ll be reviewing Skin By Zaron Vitamin C Body Lotion, Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Body Cream and Nuban Cares Vitamin C Body Lotion based on these parameters: best application experience, best hydrating, and best in brightening.

Let’s dive in, shall we….

Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Brightening Face & Body Cream Review 

The Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C + Hyaluronic body cream is one that I’d describe as “love at first pump”. It is the most lightweight yet hydrating body lotion I’ve ever tried. You could apply multiple layers, and it will still feel like you have nothing on. I even used it on my face and experienced no issues with clogged pores or whatsoever. Oh, and it smells divine! 

Ingredients:

The key ingredients in the formula are Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), palmitoyl tripeptides -1 & -7 (anti-aging, promotes younger looking skin), sodium hyaluronate (skin moisturizer) and rice bran extract (antioxidant).

Performance:

Based on this ingredient lineup, you wouldn’t expect any dramatic changes in terms of this lotion brightening your skin. Remember what we said about supporting ingredients in the beginning? This formula has only a little. I used up the 444ml bottle up and didn’t notice any visible changes in my skin tone. I only noticed that it kept my skin looking vibrant, never dull, if you get what I mean? perhaps it was the light-reflecting effect of my skin being super hydrated from the lotion or the subtle brightening effects from Vitamin C or the Rice bran extract. Who knows? 

Skin By Zaron Brightening / Moisturizing Vitamin C Body Lotion Review

Skin By Zaron Brightening Vitamin C lotion easily became a cult favorite. It makes sense because the lotion hits all the sweet spots plus it is easily accessible. The texture is lightweight, but it still has some slip and shine to it. It is quite moisturizing and leaves your skin feeling so soft right after application. It smells nice too.

Ingredients:

The key ingredients include Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Kojic acid (depigmenting agent), Alpha Arbutin (depigmenting agent), Hydrolyzed Pearl (for a likkle shine).

Performance:

From my experience, the skin by Zaron Vitamin C Body Lotion lives up to its claims of brightening and fading dark spots. The results are not dramatic in the beginning; however, it is visible before you empty one bottle. It leaves a visible glow and radiant effect. With continued use (I’ve used at least 3 bottles), I noticed it faded some dark patches on my feet so you can count on this one if you’re looking to address hyperpigmentation.

Nuban Cares Vitamin C Body Lotion Review

Last but definitely not the least. The newest on the block among the three. Nuban Cares Vitamin C body lotion has a thicker, creamier texture than the other two, and it is more *moisturizing* (not more hydrating). It doesn’t have the most pleasant smell, but you get past it after a couple of minutes of applying the lotion. 

Ingredients:

Key ingredients include Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Undecylenoyl phenylalanine a. k. a. SEPIWHITE MSH (depigmenting agent), Licorice Root Extract, and Lactic Acid (removes dead/dull skin, promotes new skin cell turnover).

Performance:

This brightening performance of this lotion surprised me. It brightened my skin and faded some dark marks as early as 3 weeks into using it. The change was very noticeable! It makes sense because SEPIWHITE is a very potent brightener, said to be more effective than Arbutin and kojic acid. I’m pretty sure it is responsible for the weird scent too. I recognized it from a product I used in the past that contains SEPIWHITE.

Verdict:

Best hydrating— If you like a super lightweight lotion that is very hydrating, feels refreshing, is Nigeria or humidity climate-friendly, and you’re not particular about brightening your skin tone, choose the Advanced Clinicals body cream.

Best brightening— If you are looking for dramatic improvement in dark patches and hyperpigmentation on your body and don’t mind a weird scent, go for Nuban care Vitamin C Body Lotion.

Best Overall— If you want an all-rounder, nice scent, glowww, great application experience and are patient enough to give time for dark spots to fade, choose Skin by Zaron Vitamin C Body Lotion.

Which one have you tried/are looking forward to trying? Drop a comment.

P. S. To boost the performance of all these body lotions, incorporate an exfoliating body wash into your routine. Stay tuned for a post on my best picks!