Stark Skincare
CITY Brightening Antioxidant Serum | Vitamin C Oil
CITY Brightening Antioxidant Serum | Vitamin C Oil
Urban Defense Facial Oil Serum for Pollution Protection & Brightness
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In stock
Key Functions: Brightening, Moisturizing, Nourishing, and Protecting.
Best for: All skin types, Hot / Humid Weather, Transitional Seasons, City Dwellers, and Oily
Some Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hemp oil, Green tea, Vitamin E, and Hemisqualane.
30 mL
Product Description
Product Description
Brightening Antioxidant Serum for Pollution Protection & Brightness
- Shields skin from urban pollution and environmental stress
- Brightens complexion with vitamin C, niacinamide, and licorice root
- Lightweight texture absorbs quickly without greasiness
- Rich in botanical oils that support the skin's lipid barrier
City is a lightweight defense serum formulated to address the visible effects of environmental factors while brightening and revitalizing the complexion. This oil-based emulsion targets the specific challenges faced by skin in urban environments with a blend of antioxidants and brightening agents. Its formulation provides protection without heaviness, making it suitable for all skin types and particularly beneficial for those in high-pollution areas.
The serum combines botanical oils rich in essential fatty acids that help maintain the skin's lipid barrier. Rice bran oil provides a stable, non-comedogenic base, while hemp seed, camelina, raspberry, and cranberry seed oils contribute complementary fatty acid profiles and natural antioxidants. Plant-derived hemisqualane enhances spreadability and absorption without residue.
City's brightening capabilities come from vitamin C (as stable tetrahexadecyl ascorbate), niacinamide, and licorice root extract—ingredients shown to reduce hyperpigmentation, even skin tone, and enhance radiance. These components work together to address dullness caused by environmental exposure, inflammatory responses, and natural aging processes without causing irritation.
The serum features a comprehensive antioxidant system. Beyond vitamins C and E, the formula incorporates specialized botanical extracts including olive leaf, edelweiss, and elderberry that provide broad-spectrum protection against various environmental factors. This multi-faceted approach neutralizes free radicals and supports the skin's own protective mechanisms, reducing reactivity and supporting long-term skin health.
Ingredients INCI
Ingredients INCI
Ingredients INCI:
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, C13-15 Alkane (Hemisqualane), Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Hempseed Oil), Camelina Sativa Seed Oil (Camelina), Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (Soy Butter), Cetyl Alcohol, Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Lecithin, Tetrahexadecyl Ascorbate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum (Edelweiss) Extract, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Silica, Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI), Myristyl Myristate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract (Phytocide elderberry), Titanium Dioxide, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Wax, pure essential oils.
Shipping:
Shipping:
- Ships from Ottawa, Canada on Monday and/or Wednesday and/or Friday.
- Shipping fees: $10 flat-rate shipping in North America.
- Free Shipping: In Canada & USA for orders over $100.
- November 2025: Ships completely tariff-free to the USA (no surpirse fees!)
- International: No surface shipping. Please choose a tracked method if available. Customs & Duties depend on your country.
- Made in Canada
Urban Defense Facial Oil Serum for Pollution Protection & Brightness
The Proof is in the Reviews
Using this Serum
Experience it
City has a lightweight, silky texture that glides effortlessly across the skin before absorbing rapidly, leaving a dewy but non-greasy finish that feels refreshingly hydrating. Crisp black spruce and herbaceous blue yarrow notes provide a brief moment of forest-inspired freshness during application. Upon absorption, skin immediately appears more luminous with a natural, healthy glow while feeling comfortably protected and nourished—creating the perfect canvas for makeup or the ideal finishing touch to a minimalist skincare routine.
How to Use it
An excellent year-round "layering-piece". Incorporate City into your morning routine by applying 2-5 drops onto slightly damp skin after cleansing and water-based serums, gently pressing rather than rubbing to enhance absorption and stimulate circulation. For enhanced protection in urban environments, layer City beneath your daily sunscreen to create a comprehensive defense system against both UV radiation and pollution particles. During seasonal transitions or travel, when skin tends to become reactive, use City as your primary moisturizer morning and evening to calm sensitivity while maintaining balanced hydration; for extra nourishment, mix a drop with your foundation to create a luminous, protected finish that combats environmental stress throughout the day. Dry skin? City combines perfectly with Equinox!
Why You Need it
Unlike heavy protective creams that can feel suffocating or single-action brightening products that lack defensive capabilities, City delivers comprehensive environmental shielding while actively improving skin tone and luminosity. The formula's intelligent balance of oil-soluble antioxidants and water-phase brightening agents ensures that protection and repair happen simultaneously, making it particularly valuable for busy lifestyles where skincare efficiency matters. Whether you're navigating urban pollution, experiencing seasonal dullness, or simply seeking to maintain skin vitality against daily stressors, City provides essential defense in a texture that's universally appealing and genuinely enjoyable to use.
Key Ingredients in CITY Brightening Antioxidant Serum | Vitamin C Oil
Licorice Extract (Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract)
This ancient botanical powerhouse delivers exceptional skin-brightening benefits thanks to its active compound, glabridin, which helps inhibit the enzyme responsible for skin discoloration. Licorice extract naturally calms and soothes irritated skin while reducing redness, making it ideal for sensitive and reactive complexions. More gentle than many synthetic brighteners, this plant-derived ingredient helps fade hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory marks while evening overall skin tone. Licorice's anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for those dealing with rosacea or blemish-prone skin, providing clarity and comfort simultaneously. Regular use reveals a more luminous, balanced complexion without the potential irritation of harsher brightening ingredients.
tetrahexadecyl ascorbate (vit. C)
This oil-soluble form of vitamin C penetrates deeper into skin layers than traditional ascorbic acid, delivering powerful brightening and anti-aging benefits. Unlike water-soluble vitamin C, tetrahexadecyl ascorbate remains stable in formulations, ensuring maximum potency from first use to last drop. This advanced ingredient stimulates collagen production, fades dark spots, and neutralizes free radicals that lead to premature aging. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for sensitive skin types who find traditional vitamin C formulas too irritating. Experience the full spectrum of vitamin C benefits—firmer, brighter, more even-toned skin—without the oxidation or sensitivity concerns.
Hemisqualane
Derived from sustainable sugarcane, hemisqualane (or hemi-squalane) is a lightweight, fast-absorbing emollient that mimics your skin's natural oils. This innovative plant-based ingredient delivers silicone-like smoothness and frizz control without silicone's environmental concerns or heavy feel. Hemisqualane creates an invisible, breathable barrier that locks in moisture while allowing skin to function naturally. Its versatility shines in both skincare and haircare, providing weightless hydration that won't clog pores or leave residue. Experience the perfect balance of nourishment and sensory pleasure—skin feels soft and supple, never greasy or suffocated. More
As Seen In
Love this oil for the light moisture and also vitamin C that doesn’t sting or cause my face to turn red. Hoping that some Melasma may fade in the coming months since I’m adding vitamin C back into my routine.
LOVE CITY — AND everything else Jess creates! Clean, effective, and so pleasant to use. Also the scent is just magical. Always look forward to using her products. Thank you!!
Been using stark city oil almost daily for at least 2 years now and it's still the best facial oil I've ever come across. I have dry skin, prone to flaking and hyperpigmentation and city is the only oil I've tried that doesn't leave me too greasy, doesn't clog my pores or cause breakouts and helps lighten dark spots. My skin is a parched plant in the summer heat and this oil is my water. My skin drinks it right up and it leaves me feeling plump and hydrated for the whole day.
Love this serum! Using start serums has saved my reactive skin
I have combination skin and this keeps my skin moisturized and doesn't cause me to break out at all.
Plant-Powered
Our clean, in-house bio-active formulas are vegan, cruelty-free and plant-based, synergistically boosted with scientifically-based actives for ultimate results.
Female-Founded
Forget the beauty-industry's soulless mega-corporations...Stark is a tiny, independent, female-led company, entirely funded by our beloved customers.
Made in Canada
Stark is proudly Canadian! Each product is fully handmade in small batches in our tiny studio, with our unique climate in mind.
Unique Formulas
No generic pre-made "stock" formulas here! Stark products are unique, thoughtful formulations created over a decade of research and customer feedback.
Plant-Powered
Our clean, in-house bio-active formulas are vegan, cruelty-free and plant-based, synergistically boosted with scientifically-based actives for ultimate results.
Female-Founded
Forget the beauty-industry's soulless mega-corporations...Stark is a tiny, independent, female-led company, entirely funded by our beloved customers.
Made in Canada
Stark is proudly Canadian! Each product is fully handmade in small batches in our tiny studio, with our unique climate in mind.
Unique Formulas
No generic pre-made "stock" formulas here! Stark products are unique, thoughtful formulations created over a decade of research and customer feedback.
