Radiant Glow Elevated Brightening Oil

We use tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stabilized, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C. It’s specifically designed to work in oil-based formulations like this one, and it converts into active Vitamin C once applied to your skin.

Be cautious when shopping for Vitamin C face oils — many are marketed as “high in Vitamin C” because they include carrier oils like rosehip or sea buckthorn. These oils may have antioxidant benefits, but they don’t actually contain Vitamin C, and ascorbic acid (the most common form) isn’t oil soluble.

Learn more about tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and how it works ›

It’s both! 😊

This product is technically a Vitamin C face oil, but because it’s packed with high-performance actives, it also functions as a serum.

Oil-based serums like this one are excellent at delivering active ingredients deep into the skin — sometimes even better than traditional water-based serums. You get the nourishing benefits of a face oil plus the targeted performance of a serum, all in one step.

This serum is designed to be both gentle and effective, even for sensitive skin.

We use tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that’s much less likely to cause irritation than traditional ascorbic acid. It’s paired with nourishing plant oils and calming botanicals that support the skin barrier and help reduce the risk of redness or stinging.

If you’ve struggled with Vitamin C products in the past, this formula is a great alternative.

As always, we recommend patch testing before introducing any new product into your routine.

It depends! Both ingredients have benefits, but they work differently.

Ascorbic acid is the most studied form of Vitamin C and has a long history of proven results. However, it's also very unstable — it can degrade quickly in water-based products, especially when exposed to light or air.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a newer, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C. It’s much more stable, making it ideal for oil-based serums. While it needs to be converted in the skin to become active, emerging research shows it may be just as effective — and potentially better tolerated by sensitive skin.

In short: both are effective when properly formulated. We choose tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate for its stability, compatibility with oils, and growing body of evidence.

Want a deeper dive? Read more about tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and how it compares to ascorbic acid ›

While they’re often confused, skin lightening and skin brightening have very different goals.

Skin brightening is about restoring your skin’s natural glow. It focuses on improving radiance, clarity, and overall tone by reducing dullness — not melanin.

Skin lightening, on the other hand, targets melanin itself. It aims to reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or uneven tone. This can involve stronger or more medical-grade ingredients, though not always.

Our Vitamin C oil serum is formulated to brighten and even skin tone — without harsh lightening agents.

Want to learn more?

• Skin Brightening vs. Skin Lightening ›
• 14 Natural Hydroquinone Alternatives ›
• How to Treat Facial Hyperpigmentation ›

Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract is a powerful botanical ingredient known for its brightening and antioxidant properties.

It’s a natural source of pterostilbene, a compound similar to resveratrol but more stable and potentially more effective. In skincare, it helps improve tone and clarity, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and defend the skin from environmental stressors.

We include pterocarp in our Vitamin C oil serum for its ability to support radiant, even-looking skin — without irritation.

👉 Learn more in our expert guide to pterocarpus extract ›

It starts with our CoreComplex™ Radiant Glow oil blend — a proprietary mix of antioxidant-rich carrier oils carefully chosen to support smoother texture, deeper hydration, and a more radiant, even-toned complexion.

But we don’t stop there.

To elevate a simple face oil into a true oil serum, we infuse it with active, science-backed ingredients — including a stable, gentle form of Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) that works beautifully in oil and is well-suited for sensitive or easily irritated skin.

This is a Vitamin C serum for people who want performance without compromising on clean, nature-inspired formulation.

And, like all bareLUXE products, it’s:

• Vegan and cruelty free
• Packaged with sustainability in mind
• Part of our mission to give back - a portion of every purchase goes to environmental initiatives