Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
Aside from retinoids, vitamin C is one of the most clinically backed and dermatologist-endorsed actives when it comes to results-driven skincare. When applied topically, vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant) can help prevent and reverse signs of UV damage, such as hyperpigmentation, soften fine lines, combat dullness, and even reduce the appearance of pores. Even more impressively, vitamin C helps prevent free radical damage, acting as a chemical shield that protects your skin from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays.
Here’s the catch, though: Vitamin C is really finicky. It’s notoriously tough to stabilize, and it can sometimes cause irritation for those of us with sensitive skin. In other words, how it’s formulated matters a lot. That’s why, when it comes to vitamin C topicals, the formulas by lauded cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson are the only ones I trust. (Seriously, there’s a reason countless beauty editors have him on speed dial and why Hailey Bieber tapped him to be the chemist for her beauty brand, Rhode.) Robinson’s newly rebranded Beautystat offers some of the most cutting-edge skincare formulas in an increasingly crowded market, and the reformulated Universal C Skin Refiner is no exception.
ADVERTISEMENT
The reformulated antioxidant-powered serum combines advanced brightening actives (ultra-pure and stable L-Ascorbic Acid) with anti-aging ingredients (ceramides and tartaric acid) to create a new skincare category that Beautystat refers to as “Brightenaging.” This dual-action elixir works to erase sun spots and acne scars while softening the look of fine lines and promoting a more lifted appearance. The serum is also infused with hyaluronic acid, which, unlike other antioxidant formulas I’ve tried, helps fortify the skin barrier (even a compromised one like mine), locks in moisture, and plumps the skin for a smoother look.
In other words, the Universal C treatment works with your skin, not against it. And while that may sound like a given, many skincare formulas that actually do what they promise to often come with a side of unpleasant consequences—namely, barrier disruption. But what really sets this formula apart is that the new and improved reformulation is supercharged with a synchronistic combination of peptides that amplifies the active ingredients' rejuvenating benefits while counteracting irritation or side effects like peeling or redness.
As I mentioned, I’m highly prone to irritation—I get red if someone merely looks at me—and I haven’t experienced any of the peeling, dryness, or redness that I’ve had with other vitamin C formulas. In fact, before trying the Universal C Skin Refiner, I was ready to give up on antioxidant serums altogether because I figured my skin “just didn’t like them.” But because I’ve trusted Robinson’s formulas for years (since early 2020, to be exact), I thought if any vitamin C would work for me, it would be one of his, and I’m happy to report I was right.
I’ve been using the serum daily since its launch in early February (under my moisturizer and SPF in the morning after cleansing), and I’ve noticed the stubborn signs of my reckless youth—mostly spent SPF-less in sunny San Diego—are finally starting to fade. The sunspot on my driver’s side temple is dramatically less noticeable, and my skin overall looks more radiant. In fact, my facialist recently told me my skin has never looked brighter, so we skipped my regularly scheduled quarterly chemical peel treatment.
I’ve also noticed that the lines under my eyes and crow’s feet seem less prominent since using the serum—my entire orbital region looks much more hydrated and less crepey, and I’ve definitely not increased my daily water intake.
Beautystat’s rebrand isn’t limited to Robinson’s hero vitamin C line (though there’s a reason the acclaimed chemist has earned a reputation as a master of the notoriously tricky-to-formulate active); it also includes a range of other strategically-formulated skincare products, including the Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer and the Glucosamine-infused Triple Action Daily Peel.
