What type of vitamin C is in this serum?

It uses tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C. Unlike L-ascorbic acid, the water-based form that oxidises quickly and turns brown, THD stays stable in an oil base, so the serum keeps its potency for longer without the low-pH sting that some vitamin C serums cause.

Can I use vitamin C serum instead of sunscreen?

No. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, not a sunscreen. It helps neutralise free radicals generated by UV and environmental stress, but it does not block UV. Use it alongside your daily SPF, not instead of it. Sunscreen handles UV, while vitamin C supports the skin against the free radicals that get through.

Should I apply vitamin C in the morning or at night?

Either works, but morning is a popular choice so the antioxidant support is in place through the day alongside your sunscreen. Apply after cleansing, then follow with SPF. If you use a retinol alternative like bakuchiol in the evening, morning vitamin C keeps the two in separate routines.

Is an oil-based vitamin C serum suitable for oily or breakout-prone skin?

Yes. The olive squalane base is lightweight and closely mimics skin's own oils, so it absorbs well without feeling heavy or clogging. Many people with oily and breakout-prone skin find a squalane-based serum sits more comfortably than water-based formulas.

Why is there no preservative in the serum?

Because it is anhydrous (oil-based, with no added water), it does not need the preservative system that water-based products require to stay safe. No water means no environment for the bacteria and mould that preservatives control, so the formula stays clean and simple.

Can I use this serum around my eyes?

Yes. The oil base is gentle enough to double as an eye treatment, one of the reasons it works as a multi-use serum, moisturiser and eye product in one. Avoid getting it directly in your eyes, and patch test first if your skin is very reactive.

How should I store it and how long does it last?

Keep it in its amber glass bottle away from direct sunlight and heat. The stable THD form and airless pump mean it lasts well, but as with any clean, preservative-free product, use it within the timeframe on the packaging and enjoy it while fresh.

High Strength Vitamin C Serum 20% | Olive Squalane Base | Nubeean Noosa

Vitamin C Serum strength guide: chart to help you find out which strength of vitamin C serum is best for your skin, from 10% to 30% vitamin C professional strength.

Brighter complexion and more even skin tone. Smooths and minimises the appearance of fine lines. Non irritating and pH balanced, safe for sensitive skin, eczema & rosacea. Non sticky formulation perfect under makeup or sunscreen. Fragrance & preservative free – safe to use around eye area. Formulated & manufactured by practicing wholistic nutritionist. Clean, neutral lemon scent suitable for men and women. Made in Australia

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate A revolutionary form of vitamin C for skincare. Increased stability, does not oxidise on your skin. Skin friendly pH, does not irritate sensitive skin, safe for rosacea and retinol users. Oil soluble, absorbs quickly to work its vitamin C magic in the deeper layers of your. Water soluble ascorbic acid is not absorbed into skin and works only on the surface.

Sourced from olives, NOT shark livers. Squalane is the most effective skin moisturiser you've never heard of. Extremely safe for even the most sensitive and reactive skin. Suitable for both dry & acne-prone skin. Moisturises & hydrates to restore a healthy skin barrier. Identical to lipids found in your skin which decline with age. Leaves your skin feeling wonderfully smooth and hydrated. Although it's an oil, it feels really light and non-greasy. It's safe for all skin types.

Distilled lemon oil Distilled Lemon oil is effective against infection causing bacteria & may help prevent skin inflammation. Fresh clean scent used by Aromatherapists for its ability to uplift, relax and promote a happier mood. Small human studies have shown that the scent of lemon can help to reduce anxiety. Unlike cold pressed lemon oil, the distilled version does not make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Natural vitamin E: GMO free Mixed Tocopherols Natural vitamin E is different to synthetic vitamin E, also called Tocopherol Acetate. Tocopherol Acetate (synthetic) is associated with sensitivity reactions (rare but it does happen). Natural vitamin E is safer for sensitive skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It helps to protect skin from the premature aging effects caused by UV radiation & pollution. It also helps to keep your skincare protected from oxidation (going rancid).

Nubeean Noosa

High Strength Vitamin C Serum 20% | Olive Squalane Base | Nubeean Noosa

Name: High Strength Vitamin C Serum 20% | Olive Squalane Base | Nubeean Noosa
Brand: Nubeean Noosa
SKU: S023
Price: 38.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

$38

Concentrated Vitamin C for Sun-Damaged Australian Skin

A high 20% concentration of stable vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) in a nourishing olive squalane base. Formulated by naturopath Sarah Luck for the demands Australian conditions place on skin, this preservative-free serum delivers a professional-grade antioxidant step while supporting your skin's natural barrier and microbiome.

What It Does

Antioxidant support. Vitamin C helps neutralise the free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental stress. It pairs well with your daily sunscreen - but it isn't a substitute for SPF, so keep applying your sunscreen.

Deep moisturisation. The oil-based formula hydrates without disrupting your skin barrier - no emulsifiers that can strip the skin.

Microbiome support. A preservative-free formulation helps support your skin's natural microbiome balance.

Why Choose This Serum

Concentrated 20% vitamin C in a gentle oil base
Four clean ingredients - no fillers, no preservatives, no fragrance
Small-batch production - freshly made in Noosa Hinterland for potency
Barrier-friendly - no emulsifiers
Multi-use - works as a serum, moisturiser and eye treatment

Helps With the Appearance Of

Sun damage, dark spots and uneven tone
Uneven texture
Dryness and dullness
Fine lines and wrinkles
Skin that feels less firm

Professional-Grade Formulation

Crafted with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate - an oil-soluble, stable form of vitamin C that resists the oxidation that plagues water-based vitamin C - in a pure olive squalane base. Packaged in protective amber glass with an airless pump to keep it fresh.

Clean, microbiome-supporting ingredients:

Olive squalane (barrier-supporting base)
Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) 20%
Natural vitamin E (antioxidant)
Distilled lemon oil (natural brightening) OPTIONAL, available without lemon oil

Available sizes: 15ml · 30ml · 100ml refill

Suitable For

Formulated with mature, sun-damaged and sensitive skin in mind. Our preservative-free formula suits:

Dry and dehydrated skin
Sensitive and reactive skin
Breakout-prone skin
Redness-prone skin
Combination skin
Mature and ageing skin

A Tip from Sarah

"Apply in the morning after cleansing, then follow with your sunscreen. The antioxidants complement your SPF by helping defend against free radicals through the day - just remember vitamin C works alongside sunscreen, not instead of it."

Why Trust Healthy Skin[care]?

Formulated by a naturopath with 25+ years' experience
Made in small batches in Noosa, Australia
Free from preservatives, emulsifiers and fragrance
Supports your skin's natural barrier and microbiome
Concentrated formula with no added water

Related products:

Vitamin C Serum + 1% Bakuchiol (Natural retinol alternative)
Sensitive C Serum (10% strength)
Sensitive C Serum PLUS (Vitamin C with natural retinol alternative for sensitive skin)

More information View images

Chemical Free Vitamin C Serum Ingredients*

Squalane (plant origin NOT shark liver)
Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate)
Distilled lemon oil (Citrus limon)
Rosemary extract

Where are the rest of the ingredients?

If you’re reading this ingredients list, chances are you’re wondering where the rest of our ingredients are? Surely these are just the active ingredients?

After all, most other vitamin C serums on the market have anywhere from 12-18 different ingredients.

These are the ONLY ingredients in our minimalist vitamin C serums. What we leave out is as important as what we put in.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD-C) is a premium vitamin C derivative (ester). The benefits of THD-C over L ascorbic acid include:

Fat soluble form of vitamin C means that it can cross the skin’s lipid barrier easily to be absorbed deeper within the skin where it can more effectively support collagen.
THD-C is more stable. L ascorbic acid oxidises easily and readily when exposed to light, heat and oxygen.
THD-C can be formulated at a skin friendly pH making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin. L ascorbic should be formulated at an acidic pH of around 2.5-3.5 (similar acidity to red wine) for stability and maximal skin absorption.
The oil soluble property of THD-C means that our vitamin C serums can be formulated without any water- or water-soluble ingredients. This means that they require NO preservatives or antimicrobials, making them safer for you and your skin microbiome (the garden of bacteria and other microbes that call your skin home).

Squalane

Squalane is a skin biocompatible oil derived from olives, sugar cane or shark livers. Obviously, we choose to use 100% plant derived squalane. Essentially identical to a lipid (oil) produced in abundance by healthy, young skin that decreases significantly from around mid 30’s.

It’s a light, dry and readily absorbed oil that has incredible benefits for all skin types. It intensively moisturises and plumps up dry skin to minimise the appearance of fine lines.

It gives skin a beautiful, luminous glow. It's one of the safest and most non reactive skin care ingredients making it ideal for even the most sensitive skin. It’s a hard working, luxurious multi tasker and is suitable for dry and oily skin as well as every skin type in between.

Distilled Lemon Oil

With it’s fresh, clean and bright aroma, distilled Lemon Oil will bring a smile to your face every time you apply this 100% natural serum. It also helps with balancing the skin microbiome and oil production.

Rosemary Extract

Rosemary extract is a potent natural antioxidant that helps to protect and stabilise the other ingredients.

*These are full ingredients list for chemical free Vitamin C Serum 10%, 20% and 30%. We pride ourselves on our authentic approach to Healthy Skin[care]. Our active ingredients are our only ingredients.

Chemical free Vitamin C Serums are FREE from

Our products are 100% natural and free from skincare nasties like parabens, phthalates, fragrances, sulphates, siloxanes, PEG's or propylene/butylene glycol.

We also choose to avoid using ingredients derived from Palm Oil (which is actually MUCH more difficult than avoiding the not-so-nice ingredients).

Choosing which strength Vitamin C Serum is right for YOUR skin

Not sure which strength vitamin C serum is right for your skin? Read our handy guide on choosing the right strength vitamin C serum here: How To Choose A Vitamin C Serum: Which Strength Is Right For Me? – Nubeean Noosa

How to use Chemical Free Vitamin C Serum

Choose the right strength for your skin:

10% vitamin C is best for sensitive skin or under 20 years.
20% is ideal for all skin types wanting to use vitamin C serum daily.
30% is best if you're looking to add in a vitamin C serum just a few times per week, or, you have very sun damaged skin.

3-in-1 Vitamin C Serum

Chemical free vitamin C serums triples up as moisturiser, serum and eye treatment in one product.

Authentic minimalist skincare that’s better for your skin, your bank balance and the environment.

Instructions for using vitamin C serum

Our chemical free vitamin C serum contains no water, so best results are achieved when applying to damp skin from toner or straight after cleansing.

Apply half to one pump of serum and spread over finger tips.

Gently pat the serum over damp face, throat and décolletage then massage to spread evenly.

Wait 5-10 minutes to let serum absorb before applying makeup or other products.

Safe to use alongside retinol and tretinoin. If using copper peptides, apply at different ends of the day (eg. vitamin C serum in the morning and copper peptides at night time).

Dry skin

Use once or twice daily. Once absorbed you can apply your favourite moisturiser to dry areas.

Normal and Combination Skin

Use once or twice daily. You will not need another moisturiser over the top.

Oily skin

Healthy Skin[care] vitamin C serums contain no water or water soluble ingredients, they are highly concentrated so a little goes a long way, especially for oily skin.

As there is no water in the serum, it's important that you apply to damp skin for best results and to avoid applying excess product. The moisture on your skin will help to ensure that the serum is spread evenly over your skin and absorbed quickly.

Squalane is one of the most biocompatible skincare ingredients available - it will not block pores or cause breakouts. It won't make your skin look shiny or greasy. It will impart a luminous glow, helping to give you a fresher complexion.

Sun damaged skin

Use twice daily. Best used in combination with Probiotic Toners which contain Vitamin B3 (niacinamide). Use Pomegranate & Broccoli Sprout Mask 2-3 times weekly for an extra antioxidant boost.

Vitamin C serums should also be applied to skin as soon as possible after spending time in the sun, wind or other harsh environments. They make a great supportive skin treatment during times of stress or during/after illness to safely brighten complexion and keep skin moisturised and looking & feeling healthier.