Biossance swapped squalane for an ester in their Vitamin C Rose Oil — and the internet is losing it. I bought both bottles to see if your glow is actually fading.
The old formula felt like liquid silk sliding over your face. The new one sits on top for a full 45 seconds before it sinks in — that’s a whole different experience.
It’s $72 for 1 oz — a vitamin C oil that promises brightening + moisture in one step. The original formula made me believe it was possible.
Squalane base (old)
Your skin recognized it instantly — zero wait time to absorb.
C13-15 Alkane (new)
A cheaper ester that feels like lightweight cooking oil on your fingers.
Vitamin C derivative
Still THD ascorbate — stable, but less effective without proper delivery.
The hero was always their sugarcane squalane — now it’s second fiddle to a synthetic hydrocarbon. Rose oil and bisabolol still try to soothe, but the base matters more than they’ll admit.
- Squalane (was #1, now #4): The molecule your skin craves — demoted for profit
- C13-15 Alkane: Cheap filler that sits on the surface
- THD Ascorbate: Brightens, but needs better absorption
- Rosa Damascena Flower Oil: Smells expensive, does very little
Old formula: one drop, 10 seconds, done. New formula: three drops, 45 seconds of patting, still slightly tacky. My morning routine got 30 seconds longer — that’s a real complaint.
Week two and my cheeks look fine — but that “lit from within” thing I had with the old version? Gone. Just a normal glow now.
My skin stayed hydrated — but the brightening effect dropped by about 30%. Dark spots from last summer are still visible, where the old version had them fading by now.
They saved money on ingredients and your skin pays the price. The new formula works — but it’s a downgrade you’ll feel every morning.