To know me is to know that I swear by reviving skin care. The brand's scientists, along with its founder, Dr. Gregory Brown, are constantly innovating to function at the highest possible level of effectiveness, driving the formulation of products. Case in point: They just dropped a brand new brightening serum that has proven to be 50% more potent than the best vitamin C serum - and other

Vitamin C is historically a tricky ingredient. Don't get me wrong, the brightening benefits and antioxidant properties are the gold standard. However, it is difficult to stabilize, so it can be found at a fairly high price range, along with ingredients like ferulic acid packed in dark colored bottles. In order to have a new Hail Mary iteration, "it will completely scrap the long held rules and bring a new standard for serums that will brighten up across the board." 

To say all that, I got my hands on the very first resurrected Brightening Serum laboratory samples to make its way into the world of skin care and have been diligently testing morning and night for the past four weeks. My skin is more radiant, more uniform and more hydrated with just this 1 product swap.

With that in mind, I decided to write Dr.Gregory Brown, founder and Board certified plastic surgeon at ReVive, Amanda Kahn, took a laundry list of questions to ReVive's marketing SVP to figure out exactly why the brightening serum is so effective.

L Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate, ethyl ascorbate — these are just a few of the typical vitamin C derivatives. They work. In fact, many of them are included in our favorite facial serum. Recently, a new type of vitamin C has entered the market: THD ascorbic acid. "L-Ascorbic acid has become an industry standard, and it does not oxidize and it smells kind of bad. We just received that if you want brighter skin or want to treat your discoloration it is what you needed to use and we don't need it anymore," says Khan. 

THD Ascorbic acid does not oxidize when hit by air, so it can penetrate the skin better and target cells 50% more effectively. While several other brands on the market are THD Ascorbic Acid Early Adaptors, ReVive is the only brand that pairs Active with a patented BioRenewal peptide that focuses on plump, regenerate and moisturize the skin. "Not only does it brighten up, it updates it too. You see the results right away," Dr. Brown adds.

THD Ascorbate

THD ascorbate, a "quantum leap" in vitamin C, is the latest brightening innovation in the world of skin care. "Vitamin C removes free radicals, suppresses pigmentation and is essential for collagen. When vitamin C is oxidized, all these beneficial effects disappear," explains Dr. Brown. "The fact that THD ascorbic acid can remain active in the sunlight on the surface of the skin makes it a huge leap forward."This ingredient is combined with hydrated hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to create a brighter, more hydrated look. 

BioRenewal Peptide

This peptide has been a staple in reviving products for 27 years. It deals with fine lines and wrinkles, dehydration and dullness, and convinces the skin to behave the same way it did when it was young.

Vitamin C and I have a tumultuous relationship. I have very sensitive skin and many people have my face red, irritated and burning. While I still get some brightening benefits and antioxidant protection with a low percentage formula, I could never go all-in with a heavy duty option. When the ReVive team asked me to test out the latest innovations, I was immediately intrigued by this less irritating and more stable iteration. 

The bottle itself is gorgeous and luxurious. 1 pump on the back of my hand shows that the formula is accompanied by a slight pearlescent. It's on the creamy side for vitamin C serum and almost reminds me of a light lotion. It smelled like a refreshing citrus in a way that was not overwhelming. 

Immediately after rubbing the product into my skin, I noticed a luminous and instant glow. Historically, I turned a little red and was washed away after getting vitamin C serum, but not immediately after. It moisturized and nourished my irritable skin and honestly felt even a little soothing. 

I've been using the serum every morning for weeks and it's a living proof of the brand's wild claims (read: 100% says the skin is more radiant and smoother). My face looks bright and elastic. My tone is more even and the discoloration from the acne on the cyst in my jaw is finally fading. Best part: I have not experienced any irritation, rash, or perioral dermatitis as a result. Coming from my very sensitive skin, it's the final testament.