I have several The Body Shop items in my regular skincare routine that I love, like the Bouncy Sleeping Mask, so I am always on the hunt for the next product from their range to find a new home chez moi.

Perusing the shop, I found a promising vitamin C serum that I thought could be a nice addition to my skincare wardrobe. However, as soon as I tried my newly purchased The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost, I knew that this one would be not like the others.

Of course, I am entirely to blame for this, as if I had but merely peeked at the ingredient list (below) I would have spotted that the silicones are quite at the top of the list!

Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Cyclohexasiloxane (Conditioning Agent), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Emulsion Stabilizer), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite (Viscosity Increasing Agent), HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer (Anticaking Agent), Fragrance (Fragrance), Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant), Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil (Emollient), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Glycerin (Humectant), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Polysilicone-11 (Film Former), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Silica (Absorbent), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Water (Solvent/Diluent), Hexyl Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Mica (Opacifier), Titanium Dioxide (Colour).

Now, don’t get me wrong, in general I don’t have a ban on silicones in say primers or foundations, but, when it comes to a serum, I’d rather choose they not be there.

A serum is not the last product that you usually apply during your skincare routine (unless I am layering serums, I might skip the moisturiser then), so why would I apply a serum that creates a thicker barrier and that will prevent any nourishing ingredients applied after it to properly reach my skin?

If we are talking serums, which is what I took this product for, I am aiming for a very fluid formula so that it can be absorbed easily. In the case of the Vitamin C Skin Boost, it feels like a primer!

You will also notice that there are quite a few sources of fragrance in this, which can be annoying, and an irritant for some, as I would have preferred having more antioxidants in it.

“Instant smoothing radiance”. Of course you will have smoother skin and more radiant skin, the silicones and the reflective particles in it will make sure of it! No mysteries there!

In the end, as it has plenty of silicones, reflective particles and silica (oil control properties), I have been using this as a radiant primer to use under foundation.

Needless to say, I will not be repurchasing this product. Such a pity!