Sensitive skin and Vitamin C have never been the best of friends. The stinging, the redness, the flaking that follows a supposedly brightening serum. We've all been there. C-2 Believe rewrites that story. This is Vitamin C moisturiser formulated specifically for reactive skin, delivering all the radiance without any of the irritation.
Vitamin C blocks melanin production, builds collagen, and neutralises free radicals before they damage skin cells. Every skin type deserves these benefits, especially sensitive skin that often shows the first signs of oxidative stress.
We started with our Stabilised Vitamin C 20% Brightening Booster as part of our Pai Labs range. This concentrated active let you test the waters, mixing it into your routine drop by drop. The glowing reviews proved what we already knew: sensitive skin can handle Vitamin C when it's formulated right.
C-2 Believe takes that same stabilised Vitamin C technology and builds it into an everyday face cream. One product, multiple benefits, zero compromise.
The proof is in the testing
Sensitive skin has good reason to be wary of Vitamin C. Most formulations use L-ascorbic acid, which needs an acidic pH to penetrate skin. That low pH is what causes the sting. Creating an organic moisturiser with a potent dose of Vitamin C that actually respects skin barriers took serious formulation work.
In our two-week consumer trial of 114 subjects:
- 91% agreed their skin looked more radiant
- 91% agreed it gave their skin a healthy-looking glow
- 91% agreed their skin looked less dull
- 94% agreed it left skin feeling hydrated
- 83% agreed it made their skin texture look more even
The testers had no idea what product or brand they were using. One summed up their experience perfectly: "Skin feels soft, smooth and nourished with a healthy glow, with no irritation on my sensitive skin."
Like everything else we make, C-2 Believe is independently patch tested on sensitive skin. It's also certified COSMOS Organic, vegan and cruelty-free. The secret is in how we formulate it.
What's inside: the hero ingredients
Our light, silky cream starts with Vitamin C, naturally. But that's just the beginning.
We've built the formula with superfood ingredients that strengthen skin while they brighten. Upcycled and sustainably sourced actives that calm rather than irritate. Here's what each one brings to your skin.
Stabilised Vitamin C
This corn-derived Vitamin C comes in an oil-soluble format that breaks down on application and slowly releases into the deeper layers of skin. This matters for two reasons. First, Vitamin C is notoriously unstable. If you've reacted to it before, it's often because of the stabilising ingredients brands add to stop it degrading.
Our version is encapsulated in fatty acids that protect it until it reaches your skin. Less irritating, more effective.
Once it gets to work, the benefits are worth it. Vitamin C blocks melanin production for brighter, more even skin tone and texture. It fights free radicals and boosts collagen to support skin as it ages. As a potent antioxidant, it shields skin from environmental damage all day long.
We've written a complete breakdown of how Vitamin C works at the cellular level.
Upcycled Bilberry Extract
Bilberry seeds are rich in Omega 3 and 6. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for forming ceramides, the building blocks of healthy skin barriers. Stronger barriers mean calmer, more resilient skin.
Even better, these seeds come from food industry waste streams. We rescue them before they're discarded and transform them into high-quality, nutrient-rich oils. Good for skin, good for the planet.
Hyaluronic Acid
Every moisturiser needs serious hydration. Nothing delivers quite like Hyaluronic Acid. This sugar molecule, naturally produced by your body, holds between 10 and 50 times its weight in water. It creates a reservoir for skin while reducing water loss.
Inulin
A sensitive skin formula needs prebiotic support. Your skin surface hosts a crucial microbiome layer that protects against irritation. Prebiotics preserve this defensive shield by feeding beneficial bacteria. Our inulin comes from chicory roots and works with your skin to reduce reactivity and maintain calm.
Zero-waste botanicals
Beyond the upcycled Bilberry extract, we include zero-waste Camellia Oil and Mango Butter for their skin-softening properties. These botanicals are grown specifically for their oils, with every bit of waste becoming animal feed or natural fertiliser. Nothing goes to landfill.
How to use C-2 Believe in your routine
C-2 Believe suits all skin types, particularly if you want brightening benefits without irritation. It slots seamlessly into your existing routine.
Apply after serum, before oils. Always follow with SPF in the morning, no exceptions.
Use it morning and night as your brightening, strengthening, hydrating face cream. Pro tip: morning application delivers the best glow. Your skin looks instantly more awake, plus you get all-day protection from pollution and UV damage.
For maximum brightening impact, pair it with our Brighten collection. Start with Light Work cleansing oil, add weekly Virtuous Circle exfoliation, target dark spots with Fade Forward serum, then seal everything with Rosehip BioRegenerate oil at night.
Shop C-2 Believe Vitamin C face cream today
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes C-2 Believe suitable for sensitive skin when most Vitamin C products cause irritation?
C-2 Believe uses ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that doesn't require the low, acidic pH that makes conventional L-ascorbic acid serums sting and irritate. It's encapsulated in fatty acids that protect it until it reaches deeper skin layers, so there's no surface-level irritation. The formula is also independently patch tested on sensitive skin and certified COSMOS Organic.
What results can I expect from using C-2 Believe?
In an independent consumer trial of 114 women over two weeks, 91% agreed their skin looked more radiant and less dull, 94% said it left skin feeling hydrated, and 83% said their skin texture looked more even. One tester described their skin as feeling "soft, smooth and nourished with a healthy glow, with no irritation on my sensitive skin."
How does the upcycled bilberry extract in C-2 Believe help my skin?
Bilberry seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of ceramides, one of the key building blocks of a healthy skin barrier. By strengthening that barrier, bilberry helps soothe and calm reactive skin. The seeds themselves are upcycled from other industries, so they'd otherwise go to waste.
When should I apply C-2 Believe in my skincare routine?
Apply it after your serum and before any face oils, then finish with SPF if you're using it in the morning. It works both morning and night, but the morning is where it really shines: the Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against pollution and UV-generated free radicals throughout the day.
Which other Pai products work well alongside C-2 Believe for brighter skin?
C-2 Believe sits within Pai's Brighten range, so it pairs naturally with Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil as your first cleanse, Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil as an overnight treatment, and the Stabilised Vitamin C 20% Booster if you want an extra concentrated dose of Vitamin C mixed into your moisturiser.
