Brighten Collection

Radiance backed by science.

Vitamin C, AHAs, and NZ-native brightening actives at percentages that actually work. No gimmicks.

Brightens
Evens Tone
Fades
Matilda Jane
Brightening
Vitamin C Serum
50ml e
Brighten Collection

Brightening
Vitamin C Serum

With Kakadu Plum & Ascorbyl Glucoside
$58.00 NZD
Size

Stable vitamin C at 5%, pH 3.5–4.0 for full bioavailability. NZ's highest natural vitamin C source.

Brightens
Evens Tone
Fades
Product Details

Vitamin C only works at the right pH.

A stable vitamin C serum at 5%, buffered to pH 3.5–4.0 — the narrow window where ascorbic acid is fully bioavailable yet tolerable on the skin. Paired with Kakadu Plum, the world's highest natural source of vitamin C, and tranexamic acid for clinically validated tone-evening.

Bottled in opaque, airless packaging to protect potency from light and oxygen — the two things that destroy most vitamin C formulas before they reach your skin.

  • Ascorbyl Glucoside 5% — stable, water-soluble vitamin C with sustained activity.
  • Kakadu Plum CE — world's highest natural source of vitamin C.
  • Tranexamic Acid 2% — clinically validated hyperpigmentation inhibitor.
  • Sodium Phytate — chelator for vitamin C stability.

Apply 3–4 drops to clean, dry skin in the morning, before moisturiser and SPF. Vitamin C amplifies the photo-protection of sunscreen — the two are designed to work together.

Replace the cap firmly after each use to limit oxygen exposure.

Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Fragrance-free. Buffered pH 3.5–4.0.

Morning. Vitamin C boosts the photo-protection of your SPF and neutralises free radicals from UV exposure during the day.

Yes — the old "vitamin C and niacinamide cancel each other" claim has been thoroughly disproven. They layer well and complement each other for tone-evening.

Yes. Ascorbyl glucoside, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid are all considered pregnancy-safe under current guidance.

Surface radiance at 2 weeks. Discrete spot fading typically begins at 6–8 weeks. Pigmentation is slow — be patient and pair with strict daily SPF.

Vitamin C oxidises on contact with light and oxygen — this turns the formula yellow, then brown. Once oxidised it's inert. Our airless pump and amber bottle protect against this. If your serum darkens significantly, replace it.

pH Window

Vitamin C is only active between pH 3.5 and 4.0.

Above pH 4.0, ascorbic acid is inactive. Below pH 3.0, it's irritating. The narrow window between is where the magic happens — and where most "brightening" serums fail.

We buffer with sodium hydroxide and phytate to lock the formula in that window for the life of the bottle.

Native Power

Kakadu Plum — 100× the vitamin C of an orange.

Indigenous to Northern Australia, Kakadu Plum holds the highest natural concentration of vitamin C of any known fruit. Used for centuries by Aboriginal communities; only recently understood by modern dermatology.

Tone-Evening

Tranexamic Acid — clinically validated for hyperpigmentation.

Originally developed in Japanese dermatology to treat melasma, tranexamic acid blocks the melanocyte signalling pathway rather than just brightening surface pigment.

Pairs with vitamin C for results that don't rebound when you stop using the product.

The Science

Vitamin C only works at the right pH.

Ascorbyl Glucoside 5% — stable, water-soluble vitamin C precursor with sustained activity. Kakadu Plum CE — the world's highest natural source of vitamin C, sourced from Aotearoa-equivalent suppliers. Tranexamic Acid 2% — clinically validated hyperpigmentation inhibitor. Properly chelated and packaged in opaque, airless containers to preserve potency.