Have you heard the news? Our beloved Vitamin C Regenerative Balm has been enhanced with dual vitamin C and next-gen antioxidants to create the best natural vitamin C skincare experience. We sat down with founder and formulator Dominique Caron to hear about the updates—read on to learn more!
Q: The Vitamin C Regenerative Face Balm recently got a formula refresh! Can you tell us what inspired the update and what goals you had in mind when reformulating this beloved product?
A: I originally formulated the Vitamin C Regenerative Balm back in 2014, and so much has evolved in the world of vitamin C since then. Newer, more stable, and more effective forms of vitamin C have become available, and I wanted to take advantage of that science to give this formula a true performance boost.
I’ll be honest—reformulating a customer favorite was nerve-racking because people love this balm. But it felt like the right time. My goal was to enhance its results while also refining the texture so it feels even more luxurious and seamless on the skin. The spirit of the original balm is still very much there—it’s still made with fresh botanical extracts & nutrient-dense oils, but now it’s elevated with better performing vitamin C and antioxidants.
Q: You’ve introduced a dual form of vitamin C in the new formula. What makes this pairing unique, and how does it enhance the skin-brightening and collagen-supporting benefits compared to a single vitamin C source?
A: In the original formula, I relied solely on ascorbyl palmitate, which is a great, gentle, oil-soluble form of vitamin C. In the updated formula, I paired it with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate—often called Tetra C—because the two together offer a more comprehensive and impactful vitamin C experience.
Tetra C is one of the most advanced oil-soluble vitamin C derivatives available today. It penetrates deeply, helps brighten uneven tone, and supports collagen in a way that’s incredibly stable and effective. When you combine it with ascorbyl palmitate, you get both immediate antioxidant benefits and longer-term radiance and firmness.
I also added acetyl zingerone, a powerhouse antioxidant derived from ginger, which amplifies the formula’s ability to fight free-radical damage and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Together this trio creates a more potent, resilient, and glow-boosting formula than using a single vitamin C source alone.
Q: Acetyl zingerone is a fascinating addition—it’s not an ingredient we see every day. What drew you to include it, and what role does it play in protecting and repairing the skin?
A: Acetyl zingerone is one of those ingredients that immediately caught my attention because it goes above and beyond what typical antioxidants can do. It’s inspired by zingerone, a natural compound found in ginger, but engineered to be highly stable and incredibly effective.
What really sets it apart is its broad-spectrum antioxidant capability . Most antioxidants neutralize only one type of free radical. Acetyl zingerone, on the other hand, can target multiple—including the highly reactive, hard-to-target species generated by different types of UV exposure , pollution, and everyday stress. That’s a rare and valuable trait in skincare.
It also helps protect the skin’s collagen and elastin by minimizing glycation and lipid peroxidation, which are two silent aging pathways that weaken the skin over time . And it has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect that supports barrier repair and resilience.
When paired with Tetra C, acetyl zingerone enhances and extends the entire antioxidant network, helping vitamin C (as well as vitamin E and CoQ10 in the formula) stay active longer.
The result is a more protected, brighter, firmer complexion—and a formula that’s uniquely equipped to defend the skin from both everyday stressors and the deeper, UV-induced oxidative damage that most antioxidants can’t touch.
Q: Jojoba esters and pomegranate sterols sound like they bring a new level of nourishment to the balm. How do these ingredients improve the texture and performance of the product?
A: Jojoba esters and pomegranate sterols were two ingredients I was really excited to bring into the new formula because they elevate both the texture and the performance of the balm in a meaningful way—especially for dry and aging skin.
Jojoba esters give the balm a smoother, more elegant glide and help it melt beautifully into the skin without feeling heavy or waxy. They mimic the skin’s own natural lipids, so they absorb easily and support a soft, supple finish. They also improve the balm’s overall stability and “cushion,” which makes it feel incredibly comforting on stressed or depleted skin.
Pomegranate sterols bring another layer of nourishment. They’re rich in phytosterols—lipid molecules that help strengthen the skin barrier and significantly boost hydration. One of the things I love about them is their ability to hold water in the skin while still feeling lightweight. They help improve elasticity and support the skin’s natural repair processes, making them especially valuable for mature, dry, or environmentally stressed skin.
Together, these ingredients give the balm a more refined texture, deeper nourishment, and a longer-lasting, plump, radiant finish.
Q: For long-time fans of the Vitamin C Regenerative Face Balm , what differences might they notice right away? How would you describe the overall experience of the new formula?
A: Besides the new look of the jar and box, once you open your jar you will notice the texture looks and feels much more luxurious. It has a certain “luxe dessert” quality. It’s richer, smoother, and honestly just more yummy .
Once you apply it, you will notice that the slip is noticeably silkier and the balm melts into the skin with a softer, more seamless glide. It feels more cushioned and refined, without being heavier.
And then, believe it or not, the results will be better. Expect the same comforting nourishment you love, but with enhanced brightness, better antioxidant protection, and an even more radiant, resilien t complexion. It’s the same balm at heart—just glowier, smoother, and more effective.
Want to try out the enhanced formula? Check out the Vitamin C Regenerative Balm today!