Antioxidant support
Topical vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping protect skin from oxidative stress associated with environmental exposure.
Facials · South Kensington
Vitamin C Facial
A brightening 60-minute facial combining antioxidant vitamin C, gentle skin preparation and hydration for a fresher, more luminous complexion.
Designed for dull, tired or uneven-looking skin, the Vitamin C Facial focuses on visible freshness without the downtime of a stronger peel or resurfacing treatment.
Brightening facial
What is the Vitamin C Facial?
The Vitamin C Facial is a professional facial centred around vitamin C and complementary skincare selected to improve the appearance of dullness and restore visible freshness.
The treatment combines cleansing, skin preparation, antioxidant skincare and hydration within a 60-minute facial protocol.
It is deliberately gentler than a medium-depth peel or aggressive resurfacing treatment, making it a useful option when you want brightness without significant downtime.
Particularly suited to:
- Dull or tired-looking skin
- Uneven-looking tone
- Skin exposed to urban environmental stress
- Dehydrated-looking skin
- Pre-event skin preparation
- Clients wanting visible freshness without aggressive resurfacing
More than simply a “glow” ingredient
Visible brightness
Vitamin C is widely used in skincare formulations intended to improve the appearance of dullness and uneven-looking tone.
Collagen biology
Vitamin C has an established biological role in normal collagen synthesis, although a single facial should not be presented as a treatment that dramatically rebuilds collagen.
Skin freshness
Professional cleansing, exfoliation and hydration alongside vitamin C can leave skin looking immediately fresher.
Hydration
The facial is finished with skincare selected to support comfort, hydration and the skin barrier.
Minimal downtime
The treatment is designed to brighten without the predictable peeling associated with stronger resurfacing protocols.
A little skin science
Not every form of vitamin C is the same
L-ascorbic acid
L-ascorbic acid is the biologically active form of vitamin C and is extensively used in topical skincare research.
The challenge is stability: it can oxidise when exposed to air, light and unsuitable formulation conditions.
Vitamin C derivatives
Skincare products may instead use more stable vitamin C derivatives. These can offer practical formulation advantages and may be better tolerated by some skin types.
The appropriate formulation depends on concentration, pH, the other ingredients in the product and individual skin tolerance — not simply whether “vitamin C” appears on the label.
What happens during the facial?
Consultation & cleanse
We review how your skin is behaving, current products and any sensitivity before thoroughly cleansing the skin.
Skin preparation
Gentle exfoliating or preparatory steps may be selected according to your skin rather than applying the same protocol to everyone.
Vitamin C treatment
Vitamin C-rich professional skincare is incorporated into the treatment to focus on brightness and antioxidant support.
Hydrate & protect
The treatment finishes with appropriate hydration and daytime skin protection where required.
The same facial shouldn't be identical on every face
Vitamin C may be the central theme, but concentration, exfoliation, hydration and supporting products should reflect your skin on the day.
Dry / dehydrated
The protocol can emphasise barrier support and hydration while keeping exfoliation relatively gentle.
Combination
Congested areas can be treated differently from areas that need more hydration and comfort.
Sensitive
Vitamin C formulation and treatment intensity matter. Very reactive skin may require a gentler approach or an alternative facial.
Vitamin C Facial, SkinBrite Peel or TCA?
These treatments all sit within the broad conversation around brightness and uneven tone, but they are not interchangeable.
| Treatment | Best suited to | Intensity | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C Facial | Dullness, tired-looking skin, maintenance and pre-event glow | Gentle | Minimal |
| SkinBrite Peel | More focused approach to uneven-looking pigmentation and tone | Moderate | Depends on protocol |
| TCA Peel | Selected clients requiring a stronger resurfacing approach | Higher | More significant |
Before an event
A good choice when you want freshness without peeling
For weddings, dinners, photographs or other occasions, many clients prefer a facial that improves the immediate appearance of the skin without creating predictable flaking or significant redness.
That makes the Vitamin C Facial a useful pre-event option for suitable skin.
For an important event
If you have never had the treatment before, we would generally avoid experimenting with unfamiliar active skincare immediately before a major occasion.
Allowing some space between a first treatment and the event gives the skin time to settle and allows us to understand your individual response.
When another modality adds something useful
LED Light Therapy
LED may be incorporated or booked alongside facial treatment where appropriate for the individual skin and treatment goal.
Microdermabrasion / skin polishing
Where dullness is strongly associated with surface build-up, a more exfoliation-focused facial may sometimes be the better choice.
Between appointments
Vitamin C at home
Consistency matters more than chasing strength
A well-formulated vitamin C product used consistently is generally more useful than repeatedly buying the highest concentration available.
Very strong acidic formulas can irritate some skin types, particularly when combined with retinoids, exfoliating acids and other active products.
Storage matters too
Some vitamin C formulas — particularly L-ascorbic acid — can deteriorate with prolonged exposure to air, heat and light.
Follow the manufacturer's storage guidance and replace products that have clearly oxidised or changed significantly in appearance.
Vitamin C Facial
£135
60 minutes of brightening facial care
The Vitamin C Facial is a 60-minute professional treatment for clients looking for a fresher, brighter complexion without aggressive resurfacing or significant downtime.
Keep the skin comfortable afterwards
SPF
Continue using broad-spectrum sunscreen as part of your daily morning skincare routine.
Hydrate
Use familiar, gentle moisturising products to support hydration and skin comfort after treatment.
Don't over-treat
There is generally little benefit in immediately layering multiple strong exfoliating acids or unfamiliar active products onto freshly treated skin.
Vitamin C Facial FAQs
What does a Vitamin C Facial do?
The treatment is designed primarily to improve visible freshness, brightness and hydration while providing topical antioxidant support. Results vary according to skin condition and the products used.
Will it remove pigmentation?
A Vitamin C Facial may help improve the appearance of dullness and some uneven-looking tone, but established pigmentation may require a more targeted treatment plan. This can include specific skincare, peels, IPL or other approaches depending on the type of pigmentation.
Does vitamin C increase collagen?
Vitamin C has an established biological role in normal collagen synthesis. However, it would be misleading to suggest that a single Vitamin C Facial produces a major measurable increase in dermal collagen.
Is the treatment suitable for sensitive skin?
It can be, but vitamin C formulations differ considerably. We adapt the treatment according to sensitivity and may recommend another facial if the skin is actively irritated or highly reactive.
Will my skin peel afterwards?
Significant peeling is not normally expected from the Vitamin C Facial. Very mild transient redness or sensitivity can occur depending on the individual and the exfoliation used.
Can I have the facial before a wedding or event?
Yes, it can be a useful pre-event facial because the emphasis is on visible freshness rather than aggressive resurfacing. If this is your first treatment, however, allowing some time before a particularly important event is sensible.
Can I use vitamin C at home after the facial?
Usually yes, provided it is a product your skin already tolerates. Your therapist can advise whether you should continue your normal routine immediately or simplify it temporarily.
Can I combine vitamin C with retinol?
Many skincare routines include both ingredients, but tolerance depends on the individual products, concentrations and your skin. If irritation develops, frequency or timing may need adjustment rather than simply adding more active ingredients.
How often can I have a Vitamin C Facial?
Frequency depends on your skin, goals and wider skincare programme. It can be used as an occasional brightening treatment or incorporated into a longer-term facial routine.
Looking for something slightly different?
Santi London · South Kensington
Bring tired-looking skin back to life
The Vitamin C Facial is a straightforward choice when your skin needs brightness, hydration and visible freshness — without committing to a stronger peel or resurfacing treatment.
Vitamin C Facial · 60 minutes · £135 · Santi London, 33 Thurloe Street, South Kensington, London SW7 2LQ.