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Even as a beauty writer, I’m a simple gal when it comes to skin care. My typical lineup is cleanser, a thrice-weekly exfoliant, moisturizer, and SPF, and getting me to change up my current faves takes a lot of convincing. I dabble with serums here and there—some I finish, some I don’t—but I rarely add a new active ingredient like vitamin C, which is typically too irritating for my skin. That is, until Trinny London’s Naked Ambition serum came along. This little powerhouse pairs a slow-release vitamin C with azelaic acid exosomes—tiny vesicles that help deliver acne- and rosacea-fighting ingredients deep into the skin—to tackle everything from redness and dark spots to uneven tone, all while giving your skin a serious radiance boost. And the kicker? The brand claims you can see results in just two weeks. Needless to say, I was intrigued.
Trinny London
Naked Ambition Serum
Trinny London
As someone with chronically dull, sun-spotted skin, I took the arrival of this serum as a sign from above. I’ve been using it since October 2—so just over four weeks now—and I can definitely see a difference. Keep reading to find out why it has earned a permanent spot at the top of my skin-care “menu.”
My Skin Goals
I have acne-prone combination skin that’s quick to rebel whenever I try something new. My breakouts rarely show up as angry, red pimples—instead, I get tiny bumps and clogged pores, the sneaky kind that make skin look uneven when the light hits. The right product keeps them at bay, but when a formula isn’t a match, my skin gives me a very clear (very textured) warning. My biggest test when adding a new product is that it brightens my skin without causing flare-ups or enhancing sensitivity. It also can’t tip the balance toward extra dryness or oiliness. Basically, it needs to deliver a just-left-a-facial glow without the drama, which is historically challenging in the world of vitamin C.
First Impressions
Before I even pumped it out, I was impressed with the refillable bottle—you can repurchase the product without the full packaging for $10 less. The milky-gel texture (which is not oily in the slightest) glides easily over the skin and sinks in quickly without leaving a heavy or shiny finish. There’s a slight tingle at first (hello, azelaic acid), which feels like the formula is doing its job rather than irritating my barrier. However, it did surprise me initially since the brand claims this formula is a winner for vitamin C newbies or those with sensitive skin.
The Formula
What makes this formula so gentle? It comes down to smart chemistry. Ohio-based Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos explains that ascorbyl glucoside—a vitamin C derivative that converts to active L-ascorbic acid once it hits the skin—is the second ingredient listed, meaning it’s present at a potent, effective level. At a balanced 10% concentration (compared to Trinny’s powerhouse Boost Up serum, which packs 30% for seasoned users), it delivers the brightening, firming benefits of vitamin C without the sting. Unlike pure L-ascorbic acid, which requires a low, potentially irritating pH of around 3.5, ascorbyl glucoside is water-stable and lands in a skin-friendly pH range of 5 to 7. “That stability is incredibly important,” says Dobos. “Even though L-ascorbic acid is highly efficacious, it’s notoriously hard to keep stable—if it’s degraded by the time you open the bottle, what’s the point?”
The ascorbyl glucoside in the formula is also paired with other antioxidants like vitamin E, which New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, told Allure boosts vitamin C’s efficacy. “Together, they can provide double protection against free-radical damage,” she says. It also has red algae, which is rich in antioxidants that help protect skin from environmental stressors, while boosting hydration and radiance.
The other star of the formula is 10% azelaic acid, a sensitive skin-friendly active that is actually derived from barley, rye grains, and wheat. Thanks to its exfoliating, blackhead-clearing, and antibacterial properties, it tackles breakouts and uneven texture without the drama (no surprise my skin didn’t freak out). Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California, tells Allure that the highest concentration for over-the-counter azelaic acid is 15%, so the fact that this one is 10% makes it a solid bet for those with sensitive skin. She explains the acid works by inhibiting tyrosinase (the enzyme responsible for pigment production), thereby helping to fade dark spots and even out skin tone—and goes as far as to call azelaic acid “a true jack-of-all-trades, and one of the most underrated ingredients in skin care.”
How I Use It
As the brand suggests, I’ve been using this serum in the morning right after cleansing and before moisturizer and SPF. The formula sinks in almost instantly, even with two pumps, leaving my skin comfortably hydrated but never greasy (a win for my combination skin). Because it absorbs so quickly, it layers seamlessly with the rest of my routine, as opposed to causing pilling or weird texture clashes. I eased my skin into Naked Ambition by using it every few days, and now I reach for it daily without a second thought.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner before using Trinny London’s Naked Ambition Serum
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner after using Trinny London’s Naked Ambition Serum regularly for four weeks
Lily Wohlner
The Results
After four weeks of using this serum every morning, my skin feels noticeably smoother, my tone looks brighter and more even, and I haven’t experienced the usual seasonal dryness that comes with colder weather. Trinny London’s Naked Ambition Serum has become one of those rare new additions I genuinely like: It doesn’t break me out, feels weightless, and actually delivers results without irritation. If you’ve steered clear of vitamin C serums because of the sting or sensitivity they can cause, consider this your gentle entry point to a glowier, more even complexion.
Trinny London
Naked Ambition Serum
Trinny London
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