Vitamin C

Antioxidant Vitamin Complexes that neutralises free radicals and visibly brightens and evens tone.

#2 The Serum #2 The Serum
#2 The Serum
#2 The Serum
#2 The Serum

#2 The Serum

Brightening serum for resilient skin types.

30ml

£135.00

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#2 The Brightening Light Crème #2 The Brightening Light Crème
#2 The Brightening Light Crème
#2 The Brightening Light Crème
#2 The Brightening Light Crème
#2 The Brightening Light Crème
#2 The Brightening Light Crème
Bestseller

#2 The Brightening Light Crème

(Formerly #2 The Light Crème)

A Vitamin C antioxidant hydrating cream for combination skin.

50ml

£134.00

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#2 The Hydragel #2 The Hydragel
#2 The Hydragel
#2 The Hydragel
#2 The Hydragel

#2 The Hydragel

Antioxidant-rich gel for combination skin.

100ml

£144.00

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#2 The Mask #2 The Mask
#2 The Mask
#2 The Mask
#2 The Mask

#2 The Mask

Rejuvenating mask for combination skin.

20ml

£63.00

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Suited to

["Combination skin"]
The Discovery Travel Kit The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
The Discovery Travel Kit
Gift with Purchase

The Discovery Travel Kit

A travel-sized Essential Six ritual

£328.00

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The Antioxidant Brightening Duo The Antioxidant Brightening Duo
The Antioxidant Brightening Duo
The Antioxidant Brightening Duo
The Antioxidant Brightening Duo
The Antioxidant Brightening Duo
10% off

The Antioxidant Brightening Duo

Brightening + Rejuvenating Duo

£258.30 £287.00

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#1 The Strengthening Serum #1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
#1 The Strengthening Serum
Bestseller

#1 The Strengthening Serum

(Formerly #1 The Serum)

A Vitamin B serum for combination skin types.

15ml30ml

From £76.00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vitamin C in skincare?

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and one of the most clinically validated brightening actives in skincare. Within RATIONALE, Vitamin C is delivered through Multi-Vitamin Complexes, and is thecornerstone of The Brightening Collection, formulated to neutralise free radicals and visibly brighten the complexion across a morning skincare ritual.

What does Vitamin C do for skin?

Vitamin C neutralises free radicals generated by solar and environmental damage, slows excess melanin production, supports
collagen integrity, and brightens the appearance of pigmentation. With consistent use, Vitamin C helps reveal a more luminous, even, and resilient-looking complexion. It is especially valuable in addressing dullness, uneven tone, and the visible signs of solar exposure.

Which RATIONALE formulations contain Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is the foundation of The Brightening
Collection. Key formulations include #2 The Brightening Serum (resilient skin), #2 The Brightening Hydragel (all skin), #2 The Brightening Light Crème (combination skin), and #2 The Mask (combination skin). Each pairs Vitamin C with a Multi-Vitamin Complex tailored to specific skin types.

Can Vitamin C help with pigmentation?

Yes. Vitamin C is one of the most effective
topical actives for addressing the appearance of pigmentation. It works to slow excess melanin production and brighten existing pigmentation. For visible improvement, pair Brightening formulations with daily SPF and refining actives in the evening. Consistent use over four to twelve weeks delivers the most pronounced improvement in clarity and tone.

Is Vitamin C suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, when introduced thoughtfully. RATIONALE
Vitamin C formulations are paired with skin-comforting actives to support tolerance across skin types. Sensitive skin types are encouraged to begin with lighter formulations such as #2 The Brightening Light Crème and to introduce gradually. Our Client Services Team or a RATIONALE Skin Therapist can recommend the formulation best suited to your skin.

Can I use Vitamin C with niacinamide or retinol?

Yes. Vitamin C and niacinamide layer effectively in a daytime ritual together they offer antioxidant defence and barrier support. Vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening is a complementary pairing, with each active working at its optimal time. RATIONALE
formulations are created to work in synergy across your full daily Ritual.

When should I apply Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is most effective in the morning,
applied after your Strengthening step and before your Brilliance formulations. Used in the morning, it provides antioxidant defence throughout the day and supports the visible brightening benefits of consistent SPF use. Daily application delivers cumulative results over weeks and months. 

Every day, skin is exposed to UV radiation, pollution, and infrared light that generate free radicals – unstable molecules that degrade collagen, accelerate pigmentation, and dull the complexion over time. Vitamin C is the skin's best antioxidant defence against this oxidative stress: neutralising free radicals before they cause structural damage, inhibiting the melanin irregularities that create
uneven tone and mottling, and supporting the collagen synthesis that keeps skin looking firm and luminous.

Not all Vitamin C is created equal. The efficacy of a Vitamin C formulation depends significantly on stability and form. Ascorbic acid is highly active but rapidly oxidises when exposed to light and air, diminishing its potency before it can be fully absorbed. RATIONALE's approach addresses this through two multi-active antioxidant complexes:

The first is a Vitamin C Antioxidant Complex that combines several
derivatives of Vitamin C, each offering different pathways of delivery and stability, to ensure consistent, sustained antioxidant benefit throughout the day. The other is a Multi-Vitamin Complex, incorporating Vitamin C alongside Vitamins A and E, for comprehensive antioxidant support. Each vitamin component works through a distinct mechanism, and together they create a synergistic system that amplifies the benefits of each active, making it more effective than any one alone.

These Vitamin C complexes are found in the Brightening Collection. #2 The Brightening Serum is a potent, brightening formulation that fortifies skin against the appearance of oxidative stress while visibly cultivating a more even, radiant tone. For combination skin types seeking lighter hydration alongside their Vitamin C ritual,  #2 The Brightening Light Crème delivers three forms of Vitamin C in a calming, weightless texture. Those prone to congestion and breakouts, or living in hotter, more humid climates, will benefit from the water light delivery system of #2 The Brightening Hydragel, which boasts a multi-vitamin complex and ceramic shield technology to defend against environmental aggressors and oxidative stress.

Find your recommended Vitamin C formulation by taking our Skin Questionnaire or exploring the full Brightening Collection.

Skin Questionnaire Book a Consultation