*** El Dorado has been upgraded to 10% THDA from its original 7%!
What it does: Stimulates collagen production, reduces sun damage, brightens and evens skin tone, provides antioxidant protection against free radicals
Suitable for all skin types, but especially dry and aging skin. Many Snail Mail testers with oily or combination skin were able to use El Dorado with no issue, although one user with oily skin reported that it had trouble sinking in fully. If you have concerns, please consider a sample size bottle first.
Explorers have so far failed to find any mythical city made of gold in the desert, but here’s the next best thing: liquid gold for your face! With 10% THDA, an oil-soluble, shelf-stable vitamin C derivative, El Dorado is a fountain of youth.
Research has established that vitamin C is a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient. In an effective formulation, vitamin C stimulates collagen production for firmer and smoother skin, inhibits melanogenesis to fade dark spots and brighten skin tone, and reduces free radical damage to prevent further skin aging. Unfortunately, L-ascorbic acid, the most commonly used form of vitamin C, is notoriously unstable. L-AA oxidizes rapidly, and the low pH required for it to penetrate effectively can cause irritation.
THDA or Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate vitamin C, on the other hand, is shelf stable and not pH dependent. It will not oxidize or cause irritation due to an acidic formulation. That makes it perfect for our vitamin C serum.
Boosting the THDA’s antioxidant properties, we’ve also added a bevy of desert treasures, including Prickly Pear, Agave, Yucca Root, Avocado, Jojoba,and Evening Primrose.
Key ingredients
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: Boosts collagen production, fades hyperpigmentation, brightens and evens skin tone
• Avocado and Jojoba Oil: Antioxidant, moisturizing
• Prickly Pear, Evening Primrose, Agave, and Yucca Extracts: Antioxidant
30 mls
Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Tetrahexyldecylascorbate, Prickly Pear Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Root Extract, Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract, Agave Americana Stem Extract, Yucca Brevifolia Root Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Flower Extract, Fouqueria Splendens Stem Extract, Larrea Tridentata Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Always remember to patch test new products. Our products have very concentrated ingredients, so patch testing helps ensure you do not have any sensitivities to any of them before you put them all over your face. This product does not cause purging, so if you experience breakouts or irritation, please discontinue use. There is a sample/travel sized version to try if you are unsure of your ingredient sensitivities.
This product does not contain any photosensitizing ingredients, but the most vital and effective anti-aging step in your routine will always be sunscreen. Please note that while this has photoprotective properties, it is not a substitute for proper sunscreen. Please always use sunscreen in generous amounts for best results in fading hyperpigmentation and fighting visible skin aging.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional skin care provider. It does not have any fragrances.
