Free gift promotion is not eligible for additional discounts, including the #NEWCLIENT code.
Serums containing "ascorbyl palmitate," "tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate," "magnesium ascorbyl phosphate,"...etc. are all legally allowed to be called "Vitamin C serums," though these derivative forms to have little-to-no actual Vitamin C antioxidant power on their own. The ingredient you're looking for is l-ascorbic acid, which is the pure, natural, full-potency form of Vitamin C you'd find in a freshly-picked orange. This is also the form that will show the greatest visible benefits to your complexion. We include some derivative forms on top of l-ascorbic-acid, since your skin has some capacity to store these forms for later conversion to the real deal.
The second thing to note is that if your Vitamin C serum doesn't smell sweet and look like light yellow apple sauce, it's no longer Vitamin C. There's a lot of talk out there about "stabilized Vitamin C" created by adding water or ferulic acid. These indeed increase the stability, but if the serum is bottled with oxygen exposure, every hour it sits on the shelf it will continue to oxidize, degrade and lose its effectiveness significantly.
Our solution:
All Protocol serums are created and bottled in a 100% oxygen-free and light-free environment, using patented aerospace containment technology.
Protocol's founding team had to look outside the skincare industry, in the aerospace and nuclear industries, to find the technology that could make oxygen-free and light-free bottling possible. The final result is 10% ascorbic acid delivered to you exactly as nature intended it: pure and perfect.
The secret that brings it all together is what we call our "little orange ingredient fortress":
A proprietary, clinical-grade, totally airless and UV proof bottle that's built like the space shuttle to protect our advanced and fragile ingredients. The quality of product it delivers will be apparent from the first pump.
This is unbelievable. I'm 32. I've been using retinol products and Retin-A 0.05 for about 6 years. I microneedle and get red light therapy. This is the best retinol I have ever used. I've seen more results from one week of use than I have from months of Retin-A. I can also use it every night without drying which is insane. I'll report back in 6 months but this is not a drill. It is. The best.
I cant even express to you how much I’ve battled with hormonal cystic acne, dark hyperpigmentation, dry, and oily skin. I’ve spent thousands on peels, creams, serums, pills, and countless sad evenings researching ingredients and how they can alter your skin and gut microbiome. Through the years I’ve had to learn the hard way how paramount clean and well preserved ingredients are. After 13 years of an arduous journey- I’ve landed, with confidence, on Protocol. As we all know, Vitamin C is a cute but unstable monster, retinol is an irritating acid at certain percentages, HA is tricky without the right moisture/reactive combination but Protocol has mastered all of it with scientific sophistication. Aside from its CLEAN (non carcinogenic, paraben free, hormone-disrupter free) ingredients, the packages are ingenious (check out their page on the way no light or air penetrate the serums). Also, their customer care is the sweetest, most understanding, and most responsive I’ve dealt with.
Listen, I don’t usually freak like this over a brand but I’m telling you it will change your life and simplify your complicated skin routine. I look younger, I look fresher, I look brighter, and I feel like I can just take a breath and trust this brand. You owe it to yourself to try this. My skin made me sad for so long and with this I’m getting my confidence back every day.
XX
Erika
I've had issues with my skin for the past two or so years, I think because of damage done to my skin barrier from using Biologique Recherche p50, and then other chemical exfoliants. My skin was very, very angry with me, and I responded with panic and more products. Wrong. I finally gave my skin some space to breath (thank you stay-at-home orders), and didn't put anything besides sunscreen on for two weeks - highly recommend. The first products I used again were Protocol and Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream (so good for sensitive skin), and my skin has never looked better. Like ever.
I have never seen these types of results, yet alone this quickly (about three months with Retinol/Vit C/Moisturizer). I use the Retinol every second or third night so I don't have bitchy skin deja-vu. The cleanser is magic, truly. So worth it. I just started using it, and every other night works best so far. I think I started out putting too much of the moisturizer on (I feel like this might have been part of my problem all along), but now that I take more time to apply instead of just slapping it on I am much happier with how my skin really absorbs the product. I use it during the daytime, and Cicalfate at night. My skin is completely different now - blemish free, less redness, super plump and strong, and I worry far less about it (the best part).
Protocol's customer service is also fantastic in general, they get that it's 2020 and they're a skincare brand. Thank you!!
This is hands-down the best retinol and moisturizer I have ever used - that is compared to countless other brands (Drunk Elephant...almost all of the major clean retinol brands on the market). I experienced no drying or skin sensitivity from the retinol - it took 2 weeks to start to see a difference for me. The simple moisturizer itself is a game-changing product for me -- I gave up moisturizers in favor of oils 6 + years ago because they usually feel heavy, drying, or cause acne on my skin -- not this one. I am grateful it was included with the retinol, or I would not have tried it. All-around, my skin is GLOWING. My skin has not looked this good in a long time. Even my husband has noticed (which is rare). Given I have sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin -- I imagine this will work well for others too. These products are incredible.
Best retinol I have ever used! I have used almost all the retinol products through Sephora (I am Rouge status at Sephora because I spend way too much money there) and was not satisfied with many of the high priced brands. This retinol actually made my skin do the "retinol purging" where it got worse to shed all the impurities and now I have clear and soft skin. This made me know this stuff actually works. I am still on the fence about the cleanser and moisturizer- I know they both work well, but so do some of my other favorite brands. I will absolutely buy both serums again individually.