You seem to be using too high a concentration. I used to make my own liquid C in water for topical use. It was a much lower concentration, but it could get kind of irritating even then. I am assuming you are using ascorbic acid crystals. I'm not sure what the usual concentration is. When you use a product that is much more acidic or alkaline than your skin, you risk irritation. There is only so much that topical vitamin C can do for you. More isn't necessarily better.
I would look at the concentrations out there in commercial products. A link to one of them is below. Theirs is much weaker than yours. I would also look at the Ph compared to the Ph of skin. The closer you get to that, the better. Ascorbic acid crystals, which is what it sounds like you are using, are water soluble so you can make a water-based liquid in a brown glass eye dropper jar and keep it in the frig. Make everything really clean. Boil the water, to kill micro-organisms, then let it cool. Then add the C. I would aim for the Ph of skin. You may be able to get something to test Ph from somewhere, or go by feeling. Using green tea instead of water may be nice. If you do that, you should probably add Nutribiotic GSE (grapefruit extract) as a preservative.
http://www.swansonvi...-oz-59-ml-cream
Edited by Luminosity, 12 September 2013 - 05:03 AM.