50ml full size, 15ml travel size
ESK · Morning serum
C Lite
ESK C Lite · a 10% L-ascorbic acid morning serum, the lighter sister of C Forte
A morning antioxidant serum built on L-ascorbic acid 10% in a simple two-ingredient base, for the look of brighter, more even skin and daytime antioxidant support under SPF. ESK's lighter vitamin C: suitable for all skin types and best for normal to oily skin, humid weather, and anyone new to vitamin C who finds 16% too much. Suitable for deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI).
- L-ascorbic acid 10%, the form of vitamin C with the most evidence, at a strength most skin tolerates first time.
- Two ingredients: propanediol and ascorbic acid. No water, no essential oils, no fragrance. Light, fast-absorbing.
- Mornings under SPF, where vitamin C does its antioxidant work; ESK: AM only.
- Breakout-prone? ESK: patch test, start with half a dose and avoid the T-zone. Step up to C Forte once your skin is used to it.
New to vitamin C? Try the 15ml first for £33
The travel size lasts 3 to 4 weeks, long enough to know whether L-ascorbic acid suits your skin before you buy the full size, or before you step up to C Forte.
Free UK delivery over £65 · Tracked £3.49 · Sent tracked, 2 to 4 working days
- Good to know
- Anhydrous (water-free), so it keeps its potency longer than a water-based vitamin C. A yellow or brown tint means it has oxidised; replace it.
- Stockist
- Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Genuine product with full traceability.
If it stings for more than a few seconds or your skin goes red, use it every second morning, or half a pump, and build up. If breakouts appear and continue, ESK says stop. Message us and we will suggest an alternative.
Not sure if this is right for your skin? Message us on WhatsApp or book a skin assessment and we will confirm the right routine first.
A lighter vitamin C, honestly
Most people who reach for it want what a vitamin C serum promises, brighter skin, a more even tone and antioxidant protection under SPF, but have oily or reactive skin, or have never used vitamin C and do not want to start at 16%. C Lite is that starting point: the same L-ascorbic acid as C Forte, at 10%, in a base of nothing but propanediol.
What it will not do is match C Forte on strength. ESK's full-strength serum adds vitamin E and ferulic acid, which stabilise the vitamin C and add to its antioxidant effect. If your skin is already used to vitamin C and is not oily or breakout-prone, C Forte is the better buy. If it is, C Lite is the right one, and it can be all the vitamin C you ever need.
On deeper skin tones, vitamin C is one of the safest brightening ingredients there is, because it does not irritate the way acids can, and irritation is what causes marks. A lower strength that your skin tolerates every day does more than a higher one used on and off.
Quick facts
- What it is
- A lightweight vitamin C morning serum.
- Sizes
- 50ml (£65.00, around 3 to 4 months) and 15ml travel size (£33.00, around 3 to 4 weeks).
- Best for
- Normal to oily skin, humid weather, and anyone new to vitamin C or who found 16% too strong.
- Skin types
- Suitable for all skin types, including deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI). Breakout-prone: patch test and start with half a dose.
- Key ingredients
- L-ascorbic acid 10% in propanediol. That is the whole list.
- How to use
- 1 to 2 pumps on clean skin in the morning, before moisturiser and SPF. Also on the décolletage, hands and forearms.
- Daily SPF
- Essential. Vitamin C supports SPF; it does not replace it.
- Free from
- Water, fragrance, essential oils, parabens and sulphates.
- Storage
- Cool, dark, lid on. A yellow or brown tint means it has oxidised.
- Pregnancy
- Topical vitamin C is widely regarded as suitable; ESK publishes no specific guidance. Ask if unsure.
Where it fits in a morning routine
Morning: cleanse (Hydroxy Cleanser for oily skin, Calming Cleanse otherwise), C Lite, let it settle, then your moisturiser (B Calm for oily skin) and Zinc Shade.
Night: no vitamin C needed. Use your night serum or retinal: Ultimate A+ for congested skin, Ultimate A to start gently.
Ready for more? C Forte is the 16% version with vitamin E and ferulic acid, for skin that is not oily, sensitive or breakout-prone. For dark marks as the main concern, add Enlighten Gold after C Lite.
The detail
Ingredients, and what each one does
- L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 10%
- The pure form of vitamin C and the one with the most evidence. An antioxidant that neutralises the free radicals UV and pollution create, supports SPF, and is studied for the look of uneven tone and dark marks. Widely studied.
- Propanediol
- A plant-derived solvent that carries the vitamin C without water, which is why the serum keeps its potency and absorbs quickly.
L-ascorbic acid 10% as published by ESK. ESK publishes no pH for C Lite; it is an anhydrous (water-free) serum. Descriptions are about the look and feel of skin, not a medical outcome.
Full ingredients (INCI): Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid.
How to use it
Morning
- Cleanse and pat dry.
- Put 1 to 2 pumps of C Lite on your fingertips and smooth over the face and neck.
- Let it settle for a minute.
- Follow with your moisturiser, then SPF.
Breakout-prone skin
ESK: patch test first, start with half a dose, and avoid the T-zone. If breakouts appear and continue, stop.
Beyond the face
Décolletage, the backs of the hands and the forearms, wherever sun exposure shows.
Storage
Keep the lid on, out of heat and light. A clear to pale serum is fresh; yellow or brown means it has oxidised and should be replaced.
What to expect, and when
- First use
- A light, quick-absorbing serum with no scent. A brief tingle on first use is normal on some skin.
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Skin looks brighter and fresher in the morning.
- 8 to 12 weeks
- The point to judge uneven tone and marks, with daily SPF.
- If nothing has changed
- Vitamin C is a supporting brightener. For marks as the main concern, add Enlighten Gold. Message the clinic.
Is it right for my skin
- Normal and combination skin
- Yes.
- Oily and breakout-prone skin
- Yes, this is who it is made for. Patch test, start with half a dose, avoid the T-zone.
- New to vitamin C
- Yes. Start here, step up to C Forte later if you want.
- Humid weather or summer
- Yes. Lighter than C Forte.
- Deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI)
- Yes.
- Dry or mature skin, used to vitamin C
- C Forte does more.
- Very sensitive or rosacea-prone skin
- Patch test first; a low-pH vitamin C can sting reactive skin.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Widely regarded as suitable; ESK publishes no specific guidance. Ask if unsure.
Using it with what you already own
- SPF
- Always. C Lite first, SPF last.
- Niacinamide moisturisers
- Yes. C Lite first, then B Calm, Repair + or Enlighten Gold.
- Retinal
- Yes: C Lite in the morning, retinal at night.
- Acids (Smooth Serum, Gentle Glow)
- Yes, on the opposite side of the day: acids at night.
- C Forte
- Not together. Choose one.
- Hyaluronic acid serum
- Yes. Hydraboost first, then C Lite, or the other way round; either works.
Questions we actually get asked
What is ESK C Lite?
A lightweight morning serum with L-ascorbic acid 10% in a propanediol base, two ingredients in total. It is ESK's lighter vitamin C, for normal to oily skin and anyone new to vitamin C. C Forte is the 16% version.
What does a vitamin C serum do?
L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that neutralises the free radicals UV and pollution create, supports your SPF, and is studied for the look of uneven tone and dark marks. Used every morning under SPF, it helps skin look brighter over weeks.
Is 10% vitamin C enough?
For most skin, yes. Studies of L-ascorbic acid run from around 5% to 20%, and 10% is a well-tolerated strength that still does the antioxidant work. Higher strengths add a little more and irritate a little more; C Forte at 16% is there when you want it.
What is the difference between C Lite and C Forte?
Both use L-ascorbic acid. C Lite is 10% in propanediol alone, lighter and better for oily, breakout-prone or first-time skin. C Forte is 16% with vitamin E 1% and ferulic acid 0.5%, stronger and better for skin that is not oily or sensitive.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is the ESK vitamin C for normal to oily skin. For breakout-prone skin, ESK advises a patch test, half a dose to start, and avoiding the T-zone, and stopping if breakouts appear and continue.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
It is suitable for all skin types, and at 10% it is the lower-strength vitamin C in the ESK range (C Forte is 16%). Any low-pH vitamin C can sting very reactive skin, so patch test first.
Is it suitable for deeper skin tones?
Yes. It is suitable for all skin types, including deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI). Vitamin C does not irritate the way acids can, which makes it one of the safer brighteners on skin that marks easily.
Does vitamin C lighten skin?
No. It does not change your natural skin colour. It helps the look of dullness, uneven tone and dark marks by acting on the surface and on the processes that produce marks, which is different.
When should I use it?
In the morning, after cleansing and before moisturiser and SPF. ESK: AM only, because that is when the antioxidant protection is useful.
Can I use it at night?
You can, but there is no need. Keep vitamin C for the morning and use your retinal or acid at night.
Can I use it with niacinamide?
Yes. The old advice that they cancel out does not hold at the strengths and pH of modern products. C Lite first, then B Calm, Repair + or Enlighten Gold.
Can I use it with a retinal?
Yes: C Lite in the morning, retinal at night.
Can I use it with acids?
Yes, on the opposite side of the day. Acids such as Smooth Serum or Gentle Glow go on at night.
Do I still need SPF?
Yes, every morning. Vitamin C supports SPF; it does not replace it.
Why has it turned yellow or brown?
L-ascorbic acid oxidises with air, light and heat. C Lite is anhydrous, so it lasts longer than water-based serums, but a yellow or brown tint means it has oxidised and should be replaced. Keep the lid on and store it cool and dark.
Does it tingle?
A brief tingle on first use is normal on some skin. Stinging that lasts, or redness, means use it every second morning or half a pump and build up.
Can I use it in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Topical vitamin C is widely regarded as suitable in pregnancy, and ESK publishes no specific guidance. Ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist if unsure.
Does it contain fragrance?
No. It contains two ingredients, propanediol and ascorbic acid, with no fragrance, essential oils, parabens or sulphates.
How long does a bottle last?
The 50ml lasts around 3 to 4 months of daily use. The 15ml travel size lasts around 3 to 4 weeks.
Is it cruelty free and vegan?
Yes. ESK states that C Lite is cruelty free and vegan.
Is Melatone an authorised ESK stockist?
Yes. Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Stock comes directly from ESK, so every item is genuine and traceable, and it is the same product we use in clinic.
Can someone help me work out whether this is right for me?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp with a description of your skin, or book a skin assessment at the clinic in Battersea.
What is the delivery and returns position?
Tracked UK delivery is £3.49, or free over £65, and usually arrives in 2 to 4 working days. Sealed, unopened items can be returned within 60 days for a refund.
Buying it from Melatone
Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Stock is bought directly from ESK, so every item is genuine and traceable, and it is the same product we use in clinic in Battersea, London.
If you are not sure whether C Lite or C Forte is the right vitamin C for your skin, do not guess. Message us on WhatsApp or book a skin assessment, and we will suggest a routine before you buy.
Delivery
Tracked UK delivery, £3.49 or free over £65. It usually arrives within 2 to 4 working days, with tracking by email. The price you see is the price you pay, with any delivery charge shown in full before checkout.
Returns
Sealed, unopened items may be returned within 60 days of receiving your order for a refund. For hygiene reasons we cannot accept returns of skincare once any seal has been opened, unless faulty. Your statutory 14-day right to cancel is unaffected.
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