Making a Vitamin C serum from orange peels involves drying the peels and then creating a serum by combining the powdered peels with other ingredients. While you won't get pure Vitamin C, this method provides a serum with some Vitamin C and other beneficial compounds from the orange peel.
Methods for Creating a Vitamin C Serum from Orange Peels
There are several ways to approach making a serum, each with slightly different steps and ingredients. Here are two common methods:
Method 1: Simple Powdered Peel Serum
- Preparation: Thoroughly wash and dry several oranges. Grate only the outermost, colored part of the peel, avoiding the white pith.
- Drying: Spread the grated peel thinly on a clean surface and let it air dry completely for at least 3 days, or use a food dehydrator for faster results. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent Vitamin C degradation. The dried peel can then be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for several months. [Source: Simple Pure Beauty & Quora]
- Serum Creation: Once dry, grind the peels into a fine powder. Mix a small amount of the powder (e.g., 1 teaspoon) with a carrier oil such as aloe vera gel (2 tablespoons), glycerin (1 tablespoon), and Vitamin E oil (1 tablespoon). [Source: The Glossychic]
- Application: Apply the serum to your face as needed. Store any remaining serum in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. [Source: YouTube Video]
Method 2: Powdered Peel as an Ingredient
Alternatively, the powdered orange peel can be used as one component within a more complex Vitamin C serum recipe, possibly using other sources of Vitamin C or other beneficial ingredients that boost the product's effectiveness. While several sources discuss using orange peel powder in a serum, they provide little information regarding the exact process. The focus is more on using the powder as a supplementary ingredient rather than the main source of Vitamin C.
Important Considerations
- Vitamin C Degradation: Vitamin C is sensitive to heat and light. Avoid heating the peels during the drying process, as this degrades the vitamin. Store the finished serum in a dark, cool place.
- Purity: This method doesn't produce a pure Vitamin C serum. The concentration of Vitamin C in the resulting serum will be significantly lower than commercially available products. The primary benefit comes from the combination of Vitamin C and other nutrients from the orange peel.
- Patch Test: Before applying to your entire face, perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions.
