Pure vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is one of the most well-known and extensively researched active ingredients in skincare. Few ingredients are backed by such a substantial body of clinical evidence demonstrating its ability to stimulate collagen production, improve skin firmness, fade pigmentation, and strengthen antioxidant protection. And yet, if we are honest, vitamin C serums are also one of the most common sources of disappointment. Yellowing formulas, rapid loss of efficacy, irritation, or simply the feeling that “this should have done more” are all too familiar experiences.
The problem is not the ingredient itself. The problem is that pure vitamin C is extremely fragile. It is unstable in water and oxidizes quickly when exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. By the time it reaches the skin, it has often already lost much of its original potency. This has long been an accepted compromise within the cosmetic industry — one we were not willing to accept.
This is how the NERDS 15% Vitamin C + 2% Glutathione Fresh-Activated Serum was born. Not by introducing a new active ingredient, but by rethinking how vitamin C should be formulated, protected, and delivered.
The key is freshness. In this formula, L-ascorbic acid does not sit dissolved in a water-based serum for months while moving through the supply chain. Instead, it is stored in dry, powder form inside a sealed inner capsule. It does not come into contact with the aqueous phase, oxidation does not begin, and the ingredient retains its full strength. At first use, a single firm pump activates the serum: the inner chamber opens, the active powder is released into the serum base, and fully dissolves within a few hours. From that moment on, the vitamin C is genuinely fresh — not theoretically, but chemically.
The 15% concentration is deliberate. This is the range in which L-ascorbic acid has been shown to effectively stimulate collagen synthesis and visibly improve skin tone. Vitamin C plays a central role in collagen production: it is essential for both the formation and stabilization of collagen fibers, making it a cornerstone of skin firmness and structural integrity.
This effect is further enhanced by 2% glutathione, which is far more than “just another antioxidant.” Glutathione is a key molecule in the skin’s cellular defense system. It helps regenerate other antioxidants, reduces oxidative stress, and influences pigmentation pathways. When used together with ascorbic acid, the result is not merely additive but truly synergistic — the two actives support each other to improve brightness, tone evenness, and overall skin resilience.
What actually happens during activation?
Fresh activation is not a marketing gimmick, but a precise chemical solution to a long-standing problem. Inside the bottle, the 15% L-ascorbic acid and 2% glutathione are stored as a dry powder in a separate inner capsule. In this state, the active ingredients remain fully stable: they do not oxidize, degrade, or lose potency.
When you activate the serum before first use by firmly pressing the pump, the inner capsule opens and releases the powder into the water-based serum. This is the only moment when oxidation could theoretically begin — which is precisely why activation happens only when the product is already in your hands.
Shaking the bottle thoroughly for at least 60 seconds ensures even dispersion of the actives, while allowing the serum to rest for a minimum of 6 hours ensures complete dissolution. After this, the texture becomes uniform, stable, and ready for use.
Importantly, activation only needs to be done once. This is not a step you repeat before each use, but a one-time “start” after which the serum functions just like any other facial serum — no extra steps, no complicated routine, just a freshly activated, high-performance formula.
Storing the serum in the refrigerator slows oxidation even further, helping vitamin C remain active for longer. For maximum efficacy, we recommend refrigerated storage after activation and use within three months, while the actives are still performing at their peak.
How to use it in your routine
Apply 1–2 pumps to cleansed, dry skin, always as the first step of your routine, before other serums or creams. This allows L-ascorbic acid to penetrate the skin most effectively. When used in the morning, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is essential, as vitamin C’s antioxidant protection and UV filters work synergistically.
As with all high-strength actives, a patch test is recommended before first use, especially for sensitive or reactive skin.
The formula has a lightweight, water-like texture that absorbs quickly, without stickiness or heaviness. It is fragrance-free, dye-free, and contains no essential oils, making it suitable for minimalist routines as well as more advanced smart-aging systems. Hydroxyacetophenone contributes soothing and antioxidant properties, helping maintain skin comfort even alongside powerful actives.
For us, this serum is not just another product on the shelf. It is a statement — that effective skincare is not about louder promises, but about solving old problems properly.
