What to expect in your first 4 weeks with Vitamin C

Pigmentation doesn’t fade overnight.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you something that won’t work. But that doesn’t mean nothing happens — far from it.

When you use a well-formulated Vitamin C consistently, your skin begins responding almost immediately. The full transformation takes time, but the early signs show up much sooner than most people expect.

Here’s what actually happens when you commit to Vitamin C every morning for four weeks.

Week 1: Your skin feels different

The first change isn’t visual — it’s tactile.

Your skin feels smoother. Softer. More balanced.

This is your skin barrier settling. A good Vitamin C serum shouldn’t sting or strip. It works with your skin, supporting its natural defences rather than disrupting them. By the end of the first week, that comfortable, calm feeling after application becomes your new normal.

You may also notice your skin looks slightly more awake in the mornings. Nothing dramatic yet — just a subtle shift in how your skin starts the day.

That’s a good sign.

Week 2: Brightness begins

This is when the glow starts.

Not shimmer. Not shine. A genuine, healthy brightness that comes from skin functioning well.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Over the first two weeks, it’s been neutralising free radicals and protecting your skin from daily environmental damage. Once that protection builds, it starts to show.

Your complexion looks brighter and more alive.
People might even ask if you’ve been on holiday.

Week 3: Tone starts to even out

By week three, the brightness from week two deepens into something more uniform.

This is Vitamin C doing what it does best: helping interrupt excess melanin production. It’s been working on this since day one, but pigment-related changes take time to reach the surface.

At this stage, your skin looks healthier overall. The contrast between lighter and darker areas begins to soften. You’re not finished yet, but the direction is clear.

Week 4: Dark marks start to shift

Four weeks in, changes in your dark marks become noticeable.

They’re not gone completely, but they begin to soften. Edges look less defined. Colour appears less intense.

This is the beginning of visible fading.

Your skin has been renewing itself throughout this process, and the newer skin reaching the surface has been forming under the daily protection of Vitamin C. If you’ve been taking photos, compare week one to week four — the difference is visible.

Real results take time

Every skin is different. Some people see faster changes, others slower. Deeper pigmentation, such as melasma, often takes 8–12 weeks to fade significantly.

But the pattern is consistent:

• Texture improves first

• Brightness follows

• Tone evens out

Dark marks fade gradually

Why does it take this long?

Your skin renews itself approximately every 28–40 days.

The surface you see today was forming weeks ago in the lower layers of your epidermis. When you apply Vitamin C, it starts working immediately — neutralising free radicals, helping inhibit the enzymes involved in melanin production, and supporting skin repair.

But those changes happen at a cellular level first. It takes a full skin cycle for that work to become visible on the surface.

This is why consistency is critical.

A gentle, stable Vitamin C used daily will always outperform a harsh, high-percentage formula used sporadically. Your skin needs regular support to break the pigmentation cycle.

Vitamin C and sensitive skin: your questions answered

Vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients for pigmentation — but if you have sensitive or reactive skin, you might be afraid to introduce a new active ingredient.

Here’s what to know.

Will Vitamin C irritate my skin?

It depends on the formula.

Traditional L-ascorbic acid (the most common form of Vitamin C) can be irritating, especially at high concentrations. It’s acidic, unstable, and often formulated at a pH sensitive skin struggles with.

Stabilised Vitamin C derivatives are different. They’re gentler, work at skin-friendly pH levels, and deliver results without the sting. If your skin is sensitive, prioritise stability and formulation over raw percentage.

Can I use Vitamin C if I have rosacea?

Yes, but with care.

Rosacea-prone skin is reactive, and irritation can trigger flares. Look for lightweight, stabilised Vitamin C formulas that absorb quickly and don’t sit on the skin. Avoid added fragrance, alcohol, or exfoliating acids.

Start slowly — every other morning for the first week — then build up as your skin adjusts.

What if my skin tingles when I apply it?

A mild tingle on first use can happen as your skin adapts to a new active. But ongoing tingling, stinging, or burning is a warning sign.

A well-formulated Vitamin C should feel comfortable. Persistent irritation often means the formula is too acidic, oxidised, or simply unsuitable for your skin.

Irritation isn’t proof something is “working.”
It’s a sign your skin is stressed, and stressed skin produces more melanin.

Can I use Vitamin C with retinol?

Yes — just not at the same time.

Both are active ingredients, and layering them together can overwhelm the skin. The simplest approach is:

• Vitamin C in the morning (to protect against daytime damage)

• Retinol at night (to support renewal during repair)

This way, you get the benefits of both without overburdening your skin.

Is Vitamin C right for you?

If you’re dealing with dark marks, uneven tone, dullness, or post-acne pigmentation, Vitamin C is one of the most proven ingredients available.

The key is choosing a stable, gentle formula your skin can tolerate every day — because daily use is what delivers results.

Ready to start your four weeks?

Vitamin C 2-Phase Serum is designed for consistent, daily use — even on sensitive skin.

• 16% stabilised Vitamin C in three gentle forms

• A two-phase delivery system that keeps actives fresh until you pump

• No oxidation, no irritation, no sticky residue

Just stable, effective brightening that works with your skin’s natural cycle. One pump. Every morning. Four weeks to see the difference for yourself.

The under-eye area doesn’t respond well to excess. Too many products, too much pressure and too many actives easily overwhelm the sensitive skin on this area of the face. What works is a simple, consistent routine that respects how delicate this skin is. The approach we recommend time and time again prioritises drainage first, then hydration, and lastly repair.

How hydrogel eye patches actually work

If eye creams and serums are already part of your routine, it’s fair to wonder what eye patches actually add. They’re often seen as an extra step, without much explanation of why they exist or what makes them different. The answer isn’t about stronger formulas or instant results. It’s about how hydration is delivered to the under-eye area, and why that matters.

The missing step in most Vitamin C routines

Vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients for brightening skin and improving uneven tone. Yet many people struggle with irritation, inconsistent results, or the feeling that their serum just isn’t doing very much at all. More often than not, the issue isn’t Vitamin C. It’s dehydration. When skin lacks hydration, the barrier becomes fragile. Actives that should be working with your skin instead trigger stress, sensitivity, or inflammation — all of which work against glow and even tone. This is where hyaluronic acid comes in. On its own, hyaluronic acid hydrates, plumps, and strengthens the skin barrier. On its own, Vitamin C brightens, protects, and supports even tone. But together, they create the conditions skin needs to respond properly. Here’s why this pairing works — and why it deserves a permanent place in your morning routine.

Your 5-step pigmentation-fading routine

Dark marks that won’t fade. Patches that deepen no matter what you try. A dullness that no amount of exfoliating seems to fix. If your pigmentation feels stuck, you’ve likely tried everything from brightening serums to chemical peels, with little to show for it. You’re not imagining it, and you’re certainly not alone. The good news is this: fading dark marks doesn’t require a ten-step routine or a bathroom cabinet full of serums. What it needs is the right steps, in the right order, done consistently. Here’s how to build a pigmentation-fighting routine that works with your skin — not against it.

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The phrase ‘glowing skin’ is definitely overused in the skincare world. Even though it’s the word that most women use to describe their ideal skin, few actually understand what it means when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of getting it.

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Dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin. It’s important to know whether you are suffering with dry skin or dehydrated skin or both so that you know how to optimise your skincare routine so that it’s treating the right problem.

How do I fade acne scars & hyperpigmentation?

“How to treat hyperpigmentation” is one of the most frequently asked questions in relation to skincare concerns, so if you suffer with it, you’re certainly not alone.

Creating tradition: How The Heritage Collection came to life

At Pestle & Mortar, we are guided by the philosophy of less-is-more, a principle that echoes through everything we create. Rooted in the ancient traditions of Indian natural healing, our approach is about distilling skincare down to its simplest and most effective elements.