Happy birthday, B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel!

Powerful and distinctive, Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel has been a staple in clients' skincare routines since its release. This replenishing moisturizer, rich in Vitamins B and C, helps to even out skin tone. The unique, honey-like consistency of the gel makes it a refreshing and unique experience to use, and it recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

At the time of its launch, B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel was a testament to Aesop's penchant for unorthodox approaches. Breaking away from conventions, the formulation offered a significant contrast to the silicone-based serums popular at the time: a clear, amber gel, rich in generous doses of skin-supporting vitamins. Suzanne Santos, Chief Customer Officer of Aesop, recounts the impact of the product's launch. In the skincare industry, it represented "a generational shift in texture, advancing the efficacy and performance of ingredients" and set a high benchmark for Aesop's skincare aspirations. Since then, with only two minor adjustments to the formulation, it has remained an enduring and constant source of nourishment and sensory pleasure.

What’s inside the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel?

Samy Hamada, Director of Research and Development at Aesop, describes how the name itself reflects its potent composition, with ingredients including panthenol, a precursor to Vitamin B5, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a stabilized form of Vitamin C. "The formulation contains a ratio of approximately one part Vitamin B to three parts Vitamin C. Once applied to the skin, panthenol transforms into pantothenic acid, or Vitamin B5, while Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate transforms into ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C." More broadly, B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel represents Aesop's rigorous approach to product development, having taken three years of work.

How to use B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel?

The twenty-year-old product also embodies another principle of Aesop: elevating even the most mundane task and infusing sensory pleasure into daily activities. Its idiosyncratic composition refuses to be rushed, instead offering the opportunity to savor each step. Once half a teaspoon is poured into the palm, warm the gel between the hands until it begins to melt, then spread it over a freshly cleansed and toned face and neck. It is recommended to massage the skin with light pressure until absorbed.

What is it for?

Remarkably versatile, the gel is suitable for both cool climates and hot, humid ones, and is ideal for those seeking a product with a rich water-based formula that provides hydration without weighing the skin down. Originally intended as a post-cleansing rebalance, this amber gel defies expectations in more ways than one. Its viscous texture in the jar melts gently when warmed in the palm. After application, it leaves the skin nourished and balanced, with an enveloping feel and a soft, matte finish. The slightly plumping nature of the formulation belies the unusually concentrated amounts of Vitamin C, which promote skin softness and resilience, as well as a more even complexion. The product features a complete array of hydrating ingredients: the humectant sodium lactate works in concert with panthenol, also known for its soothing properties, to hydrate and soften the skin. Additionally, aloe vera, an ingredient valued for its skin-calming benefits as well as its hydrating effectiveness.

When to use it and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine?

The gel can be applied as needed, although regular use will enhance its effects, either as a standalone daily moisturizer or integrated with another Aesop moisturizer for an extra boost. A few drops of Damascan Rose Facial Treatment can be mixed in to provide instant relief for dry skin and an additional dose of nourishing tocopherol (Vitamin E), while the addition of Fabulous Face Oil can enhance skin balance, ideal for normal or combination skin. To provide the skin with a boost of antioxidants enriched with fatty acids, B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel pairs well with Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment, and for an intense hydration experience, it can be combined with Sublime Replenishing Night Masque—twice a week or whenever needed, to deeply plump and soften the skin. Finally, as UV exposure can both deplete and degrade Vitamin C, the formulation should always be paired with sunscreen when worn during the day to ensure optimal benefits.

B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel is part of Aesop's Skin Care+ range: six moisturizers that provide the broadest range of vitamins to support the face, nourishing and hydrating it. It is packaged in a 60ml amber glass jar.