3 Byrdie Editors Tried Drunk Elephant’s New C-Luma Vitamin C Serum

You don’t have to be obsessed with skincare to have heard of vitamin C. The ingredient is one of the beauty buzzwords that has taken over our TikTok feeds and “Get Ready With Me” tutorials. Why is it so important? To put it simply, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect our skin from environmental stressors, even out skin tone, and promote collagen production. Generally, it can be used across all skin types. The biggest difference between formulas is the percentage of active ingredients, which can be tailored to tackle specific problems like hyperpigmentation or acne-prone skin.

Amongst the top brands in this category is Drunk Elephant. Its original C-Firma Fresh Day Serum has been a bestseller since the brand first launched. Now, Drunk Elephant is welcoming a new vitamin C product to the scene that’s completely tailored to beginners. Below, see a full overview of the new Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum including formula details, how to use the product, and editor reviews.

The Inspiration

Drunk Elephant already had an award-winning vitamin C serum. So why create another? Tiffany Masterson, the founder and chief creative officer of Drunk Elephant, explained that it comes down to targeting different core skin concerns and using separate types of vitamin C.

“C-Firma is a high-potency formula that uses the most powerful form of vitamin C—ascorbic acid—at a concentration (15.0%),” she says. This is how it delivers the rapid results we know and love. But not everyone can handle such a potent formula from the start. The new C-Luma Hydrabright Serum is the gentler alternative. Think of this new category as the ideal way for someone to introduce vitamin C into their routine.

The Formula

At the core of the C-Luma formula are two milder, less acidic forms of vitamin C. The overall strength of these actives totals just 10%, which is the lowest level out of the Drunk Elephant offerings. “The formula includes hydration-boosting ingredients and has a unique, lightweight water-serum texture,” explains Masterson. “Like C-Firma, C-Luma will help improve hyperpigmentation and signs of aging, just at a more gradual pace, while also addressing unique skin concerns like redness and breakouts.”

While vitamin C has a laundry list of benefits for our skin, it is historically a tricky ingredient to keep stable. Depending on how a product is formulated, there can be a timeline for an antioxidant’s freshness as soon as you open a bottle for the first time. How is this new product stabilized? “C-Luma uses two forms of vitamin C—9.0% sodium ascorbyl phosphate and 1.0% ascorbyl glucoside—which have very different stability requirements than ascorbic acid,” says Masterson. “They are stable at a higher, less acidic pH (on par with a moisturizer), which is much easier to formulate. Plus, they have a much slower breakdown process than ascorbic acid.” Masterson shares that C-Luma’s shelf life is three years unopened and 12 months after the first use. So no need to worry, you have plenty of time to finish the whole bottle!

How to Use It

Whether you prefer to include vitamin C in your morning or night routine, how you use C-Luma will be the same. Start by cleansing your face, then apply one pump to dry skin. What is so great about this new formula is that it is gentle enough to be used alongside other active ingredients. “C-Luma can be used with most of our serums, retinol formulas, and moisturizers,” says Masterson. “In other words, C-Luma plays well with others, and you can mix it however you like. The only Drunk Elephant formula to avoid pairing it with is C-Firma. That’s not because the two aren’t compatible, but more that it’s a waste given the [higher] potency of C-Firma’s formula.”

While Masterson wouldn’t suggest mixing the two vitamin C products, she does suggest alternating the formulas in your routine for maximum skin results. “Use C-Firma during the daytime and C-Luma at night,” she says. “This results in 24/7 vitamin C coverage with more rapid results on a broader, more complex range of concerns.”

The Reviews

Holly Rhue, editorial director

“Drunk Elephant’s original C-Firma Fresh is regularly in my rotation, so I’m thrilled the brand is expanding the vitamin C family. I immediately found that I’m a fan of the new C-Luma—it feels more hydrating than the original vitamin C, leaving a non-sticky veil of luminosity on my skin. It’s also easy to tolerate—even with lots of other actives in my routine, I don’t experience any irritation or sensitivity from using C-Luma. It’s a winner!”

Olivia Hancock, editor

“I haven’t used a vitamin c serum in quite some time, but the C-Luma Hydrabright Serum made me want to introduce one into my routine again. This formula is designed to enhance radiance and hydrate your skin, which I appreciate because I deal with dryness and dullness. The lightweight serum absorbs effortlessly into my skin and immediately after application, I notice my skin looks more plump and glowy. Over time, I’ve noticed an improvement in overall radiance and I’m excited to continue using this serum in my nighttime routine.”

Adelaide Giesey, editor

“I’ve always had difficulty finding a vitamin C formula that didn’t bother my sensitive skin. Any product with a high percentage of actives or acids has always given me pause. I was very excited to put the new C-Luma serum to the test after learning it was made with people like me in mind. The texture is very lightweight and almost creamy. I like to use antioxidant products as part of my morning routine. I applied two pumps of the serum to dry skin and followed up with a lightweight moisturizer. I was happy that it left no sticky residue or strong smell behind. My first few times using the product I did experience some light tingling but nothing that caused any concern. I recommend this formula to anyone looking for a beginner-friendly vitamin C serum. ”