I'm a huge fan of Vitamin C, so when I found out that Laneige Radian-C Advanced Effector is coming to Europe, I had to order Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule to see if adding this full of Vitamin C ampoule is crucial in treating dark spots. What's the difference between Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule and Laneige Radian-C Spot Serum? Is Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule a disappointment or a Vitamin C product you have to buy?
I'm not joking, when I saw that Laneige Radian-C Advanced Effector is coming to Europe, I bought Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule ASAP. I had huge expectations after Radian-C Cream which is one of my favourite moisturizers.
About brand Laneige
2019 was the year of the Laneige - Cream Skin series, new products in the Water Bank series, Laneige in Europe, Glow Makeup Serum and now Cica Mask! 2021 wasn't worse for the brand - retinol series. 2023 started well for Laneige - with new triple serum and renewed Cream Skin toner. Laneige is a brand with 29 years of tradition. Laneige was established in 1994. The owner of this company is Amore Pacific. The name Laneige comes from the French "La Neige", which means snow. Laneige focuses on water and technology. This brand knows how to make your skin hydrated while fighting other skin problems, but it's not only about skincare! The Two-Tone Bar Lipstick used by actress Song Hye-Kyo in the K-drama Descendants of The Sun sold out quickly. I remember Two Toner Bar Lipstick better from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo with Lee Sung-Kyung. Both actresses made an appearance in Laneige commercials. Actress Kim Yoo-Jung is currently the face of Laneige and Radian-C Cream. It's quite an affordable brand with sweet but not too sugary packaging. The packaging makes me believe that the main targets are teens and young adults. It's like a transition between Etude House and Sulwhasoo if Etude House is a teenage girl and Sulwhasoo is a mature lady.
Why Vitamin C?
Lots of people forgot about Vitamin C for retinol and retinal. There are plenty of reasons why Vitamin C is one of the top active ingredients. It's an antioxidant - it fights free radical damage. It stimulates collagen type I and III as well as elastin production. It protects your skin from photoaging. It boosts the UV protection of sunscreens (that's why we should apply it during the morning routine). It helps with both PIH & PIE. I feel like PIE is still hard for people to treat because products to fight PIE are not promoted by companies in the right way. We need substances with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties more than tyrosinase inhibitors. These are just a few of the positive effects of vitamin C in skincare. It's good to mix vitamin C with other ingredients like vitamin E, niacinamide or ferulic acid. We shouldn't forget about different forms of vitamin C in skincare.
Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule - Packaging
The entire Radian-C line is based on two colours - orange and white. It fits this line a lot since it's a brightening line based on Vitamin C. Similar to Laneige Radian C-Cream and Effector, this product comes in an orange box with white details on the packaging. I feel like Laneige went for glass in the Radian-C series since the bottle of the ampoule is made out of glass.
Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule - Texture & Scent
It has this typical Vitamin C scent, I can't even call it, but if you use Vitamin C ampoules based on ascorbic acid, you might know what I'm talking about. If it comes to texture, it's not an oily texture - Ascorbic Acid is water soluble, and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is water soluble as well. The first thing I noticed was the colour - it's kinda yellow. If you use Vitamin C serums then you know that the darker it gets, the more it oxidizes, even if here we got Glutathione and a more stable form of Vitamin C - 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid. It still contains Ascorbic Acid. It turns out I was worried for no reason since even on Laneige's website or social media you can see that the texture is not as transparent as Klairs' Drops.
Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule - Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Limonene, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Fragrance/Parfum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Linalool, Dextrin, Citral, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tocopherol, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water hides in cosmetic products under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant that stimulates collagen (type I and III) and elastin production. It helps with pigmentation - both PIE & PIH. It is better to use vitamin C during the morning routine because it boosts the efficiency of sunscreen. Ascorbic Acid can fix what free radicals destroy. Brands recommend mixing ascorbic acid with ferulic acid and vitamin E. Vitamin C has a cardinal role in strengthening the blood vessels and boosting wound healing. Ascorbic Acid in a concentration above 10% might be too irritative for sensitive skin or rosacea - even some acne-prone skin might not enjoy it. Propanediol is also known as natural glycol - an alternative to propylene glycol. Propanediol is a solvent with additional moisturizing properties. It makes the product smooth to the touch. It can even improve the effectiveness of active ingredients. Dimethicone is a silicone and polymer. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Tromethamine is a synthetic pH adjuster. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid or Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a form of Vitamin C. This form is very stable in both oil and water. It's an antioxidant and skin-brightening ingredient. It stimulates collagen (type I and III) and elastin production. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid helps with PIE & PIH pigmentation - this form shows the best effects on pigmentation and post-UV-exposure skin discolouration. It's better to use Vitamin C during the morning routine because it boosts the efficiency of sunscreen. We consider 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is the most stable form of vitamin C in skin care, and this version is suitable for sensitive skin. It's good to mix it with niacinamide and vitamin E. This form has weak points - it's the most expensive form of vitamin C. Squalane is an ingredient very similar to our sebum. Squalane and squalene sound similar, but there's a difference. Squalane has no double bonds while squalene has double bonds. What does it mean? Squalane is a more stable version of squalene. What I love about this ingredient is how well it works with all skin types, and how our skin needs it. Believe me, if your skin is irritated - go for squalane! This ingredient is usually derived from sugarcane or olives. It acts like an emollient and you need it in your life. Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Sodium Chloride is nothing else than well-known salt. In skin care, sodium chloride is a thickener. We also use it as an exfoliant. Acetyl Glucosamine is a precursor of Hyaluronic Acid. It's an ingredient that helps with skin brightening and elasticity.
Limonene is a scent ingredient, and it makes the product smell like lemon or orange. Limonene can enhance the penetration of other substances, but at the same time, it can irritate the skin. Who doesn't like coffee? Caffeine is an ingredient which we all assign with coffee, but even tea contains some amounts of caffeine. Caffeine is an ingredient that lots of eye care products contain, but is it as effective as everyone thinks? It improves blood circulation, and it might be helpful with cellulite, but don't expect miracles. It's a good antioxidant, and it's great to have it. Sodium Hyaluronate or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. It's a form of hyaluronic acid and naturally occurs in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate has strong water-binding properties. Sodium hyaluronate combined with elastin and collagen is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but sodium hyaluronate prevents skincare products from drying. Sodium Sulfite is a preservative, it can be helpful in hair care products. Disodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products fresh. Glutathione is an antioxidant that naturally occurs in the skin. It's a tripeptide made out of glutamic acid, glycine and cysteine. It helps with free radical damage and it inhibits melanin which makes it a powerful ingredient to treat pigmentation. Because of the sulfur amount in glutathione, you can use it to moderate sebum production in acne-prone and oily skin types. It speeds up the skin healing process and supports vitamin C and vitamin E, so it's good to use it with both these ingredients. Fragrance (Parfum) is a scent composition. It can cause allergic reactions. Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract adds scent and colour to the product, but it also can work as an antioxidant and humectant. Dextrin is an emulsifier with stabilizing properties. Linalool gives a floral scent to products. It can irritate the skin. Citral gives products a lemon scent. It can be sensitizing for the skin. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. Arginine is an amino acid. It helps with protein biosynthesis in adults. According to research from 1964, a lack of arginine might raise your chance to get an HSV infection. Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide that works as a thickener. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne, skin texture, and enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try to mix niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol.
Tranexamic acid is an ingredient which I met through pharmacology lectures since it has wide use in healthcare. It's a solution that prevents blood loss - you can use it during heavy menstruations, nosebleeds or even patients after cardiac surgeries are recommended to use. Tranexamic Acid is a synthetic substance related to amino acids. Lately, tranexamic acid became more popular as a pigmentation medication - especially for melasma. It inhibits tyrosinase to slow down melanogenesis. This ingredient is amazing not only for people with pigmentation diseases but also for rosacea. It can be helpful with post-acne scars. Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract is an ingredient which I prefer to see in skincare than seeing liquorice as food. It's an amazing antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with acne and visible red veins and it brightens the skin. Or I should say it works on pigmentation. What's better than an anti-inflammatory ingredient with brightening properties? Liquorice is not new, since it's a popular ingredient in traditional herbal medicine. It's a source of glycyrrhizinic acid and glabridin. Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. Methyl Trimethicone is a volatile silicone, a type of silicone that evaporates right after product application. It works as a solvent in the products. Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil is an emollient and source of linoleic acid, oleic acid, vitamin E, flavonoids and sterols. It's also a powerful antioxidant suitable for oily skin. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is an extract obtained from the flower, leaf and stem of Centella Asiatica. Centella Asiatica Extract is probably the most popular extract in skincare. It comes under a few names - Asiatic pennywort, tiger grass or Gotu kola. Centella Asiatica's roots are in Ayurveda. This extract is successful because it's a source of triterpene saponins - madecassoside and asiaticoside. Centella Asiatica Extract has anti-inflammatory properties. It speeds up the wound-healing process. You can use it to treat acne since it has soothing and antibacterial properties. It boosts fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin or even helps with hyaluronic acid synthesis. Centella is recommended for rosacea and cellulitis since it helps with blood microcirculation. In hair care, Centella can help with hair growth.
How does Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule work?
I love how much information for international customers Laneige gives on their websites that's why I want to analyse Laneige's marketing a bit.
If you're new - I'm a huge fan of Laneige's mother company. Amorepacific has great patents, brands and marketing. Radian-C is promoted as a solution for dark and dull skin. It's not a whitening series, but a series that targets pigmentation, and dull skin. The brand is focused on external factors of pigmentation. External factors can stimulate melanin production. We usually talk about UV radiation, but living in an environment full of pollution, etc can be damaging to our DNA, causing photoaging and all the things that come along like different types of pigmentation. The brand is mostly focused on UV radiation and HEV.
I believe Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule was created before Radian-C Advanced Effector. This ampoule contains a blend of 3 vitamins: Pure Vitamin C 17,6% (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin C derivative (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). This trio is called Radian-C 3x Blend and it's a patented blend (I believe only Laneige or Amore Pacific brands can use Radian-C 3x Blend name, not like other brands can't use the ingredients since all these ingredients are quite common in the beauty industry). This ampoule targets dark spots, freckles, blemishes, redness, pigmentation, dull skin, uneven skin texture, and enlarged pores. If used with Radian-C Cream it also helps with moisture.
According to Laneige, you can use Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule even on sensitive skin. I have to admit, the formula isn't irritating, and it works with makeup. Usually, my main problem with Vitamin C serums is the bad cooperation with makeup. We should use Vitamin C serums in the morning because they boost UV protection, but somehow some are too oily and too sticky. Thankfully, Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule is not sticky at all. It's a graceful formula that might only scare with this bright yellow shade.
I used Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule under Laneige Radian-C Cream, but according to the brand if you need more moisture you can mix both products. The effects are good, it's a nice Vitamin C serum that doesn't cost a lot - I remember, I bought it in a set with lots of samples at a very affordable price. Still, there will be people that are not going to be happy with Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule since it's recommended to use this ampoule within a month and start using it right after purchasing. I stored my ampoule in the fridge, it survive shipping from South Korea well and then stayed in my fridge for 2-3 weeks because I was using it twice a day and my face is quite tiny, but still, I used it in less than a month. The formula is biodegradable in 93,8%.
I'm surprised how Laneige recommends using it with effector and cream, but not sunscreen. When you use Vitamin C, even if you use an antioxidant, Vitamin C is a must.
Overall, Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule isn't bad, but low stability and the fact that you have to store it in cold might be reasons why I won't repurchase it. On the other hand, Laneige decided to go for the best Vitamin C forms - they are the most effective ones and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid isn't cheap. The glass packaging is covered in orange plastic so it's also good to keep it more stable. I haven't tried it on its own, but with Radian-C Cream, you can see that skin is less dull, and Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule works with makeup which is a positive thing for me. It's up to you if you go for this Vitamin C ampoule or choose a different one.
What's the difference between Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule and Laneige Radian-C Spot Serum?
But wait a minute, why there's a Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule with 17,6% Pure Vitamin C in South Korea and Singapore has Laneige Radian-C Spot Serum with 15,2% Pure Vitamin C? I don't know why different places have different amounts, but the way both products work is very similar. Let's see the ingredients in both products
Laneige Radian-C Spot Serum - Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Limonene, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Fragrance/Parfum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Linalool, Citral, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tocopherol, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule - Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Limonene, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Fragrance/Parfum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Linalool, Dextrin, Citral, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tocopherol, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
So what's the difference? Besides the fact that the ampoule contains 17,6% of Pure Vitamin C and serum only 15,2%, we can only assume that the amounts of some ingredients might be a bit different. There's also no Pentylene Glycol in spot serum, so both products might work a bit differently.
How much does Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule cost?
10ml of Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule costs $21 on Stylekorean**, I got mine from Shopee, but sadly Shopee closed its last platform in Europe (Poland) on Jan 13th so I can't even tell you if the seller I ordered from is selling products with shipping to Asian countries.
To sum up, Laneige Radian-C Vitamin Spot Ampoule isn't a bad product, but the availability is a bit poor. If you're interested in how the entire line including Sun Cream works, check Kherblog tomorrow.
Have you ever tried the Radian-C line?
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