The Difference Between Vitamin C & Kakadu Plum

In the land of clean beauty and skincare, we like to say that potent ingredients reign supreme. And when we talk about potent ingredients that really, truly work, we’re usually talking about the all-stars, the likes of which you probably already know. Jojoba, a soothing, super fatty-acid-rich botanical oil used for centuries to moisturize and nourish the skin. Grapefruit, a natural fruit acid that gently exfoliates to help purge and slough off dead skin cells. Rose, a natural, time-honored calming agent found in many oils and creams, including our Body Oil (p.s. it should be noted all of these ingredients are found in our Body Oil, just in case you’re interested), to soothe and deeply nourish. 

But, one of our all-time favorite ingredients has stood the test of time, and the tests of many, many products—Vitamin C. 

Vitamin C for skin is a super powerhouse ingredient; one we love here at RMS because it radically brightens age spots and dark spots, gently resurfaces skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles, and can even penetrate the deeper layers of your epidermis, hydrating and providing much-needed nutrients.

That’s why when we discovered Kakadu Plum, a superfruit native to Australia that has the highest concentration of Vitamin C on the planet, we couldn’t be more excited—and why Rose-Marie knew she had to make an entire line of skincare centered around this one gorgeous, glow-making botanical.

Get to know what Vitamin C is, the differences between Kakadu Plum and Vitamin C, and why you need to incorporate Kakadu in your skincare ASAP, below.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, scientifically known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a pivotal role in various bodily functions. It's crucial for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues, involved in many body functions including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. 

For skin health, Vitamin C is hailed for its ability to neutralize free radicals, stimulate collagen production, and lighten hyperpigmentation (aka dark spots), helping to brighten complexions and supercharge that natural, youthful glow. 

Despite its widespread benefits and essential function for our bodies, we can’t actually create Vitamin C on our own. We have to get it through diet or topical application (because, afterall, your skin is your body’s largest organ and absorbs everything you put on it!). That’s why where it comes from, or the origin of the ingredient, is absolutely essential.

Kakadu Plum vs. Vitamin C: Get to Know the Differences

While Vitamin C in any form is beneficial for the skin, the source of Vitamin C can greatly influence its potency, efficacy, and nutritional benefits. Think of it like shopping for fruit. Eating fruit is great for you in any capacity, but the nutritional content of your fruit will vary greatly depending on if you buy it conventional vs. organic, or in-season vs. out-of-season. You’ll still get benefits no matter what, but you obviously want to make sure you get the maximum benefits possible by buying local, organic whenever possible, and in-season. 

Kakadu Plum, scientifically known as Terminalia Ferndinandiana, is a small, green fruit found in the northern regions of Australia. It’s different from your average North American plum because Kakadu (pronounced Kah-kuh-DEW) is more closely related to an almond than a plum, and it contains the highest natural concentration of Vitamin C on earth. 

Think of Kakadu like the ultimate quality source of Vitamin C.

That’s why when our founder, master makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, discovered Kakadu Plum, a super nutrient-dense source of Vitamin C, she knew it needed to be the star of her newest collection, RMS Skincare.

"I first heard about Kakadu Plum Oil from my Aussie friend Odette, and it took me a long time to source it here,” Rose-Marie says of when she first met Kakadu. “Kakadu is phenomenal, it has always been my beauty secret. And now that I have the perfect blend, I wanted to add it to our skincare. It’s high in natural vitamin A, E, and beta-carotene—it makes rose hip look like kids play."

What Makes The Kakadu Superfruit Standout, And Why You Need it Stat

Kakadu plum contains the highest natural concentration of Vitamin C on the planet, like we’ve mentioned, with up to 100 times the Vitamin C content of an orange. This ultra-high concentration means that skincare made with or from Kakadu Plum is able to offer more potent antioxidant benefits in smaller quantities—that means you’re able to use less of the stuff and get stronger results. Who wouldn’t want that?

Kakadu is also ultra-rich in antioxidants, which are crucial in fighting and neutralizing free radicals, which can be responsible for premature aging, wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity, and even sun damage.

Bioavailability of Vitamin C (from Kakadu Plum or otherwise) refers to how well it is absorbed and utilized by the body. The natural composition of Kakadu Plum mimics what your skin is used to absorbing into your body, allowing for a highly bioavailable form of Vitamin C and ensuring that the skin and body can more effectively use it. Enhanced bioavailability means better support for collagen synthesis, a critical process in maintaining skin structure and firmness.

In addition to its super high Vitamin C content, Kakadu Plum is rich in other nutrients that are great for your skin, including Vitamin E, Zinc, and Iron. 

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant, known for its natural calming properties, that works in harmony with Vitamin C to strengthen and nourish the skin’s barrier. Zinc is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, helping to ease blemishes and acne and protect the skin against environmental damage (this is why you’ll see Zinc as a main ingredient in natural sunscreens or sunblocks). And Iron? Well, while it’s not directly related to improving skin tone, texture, or barrier function, it is well-known to support overall health and vitality, contributing to a natural glow.

The combination of antioxidants found in Kakadu Plum can provide a more comprehensive defense against oxidative stress compared to traditional Vitamin C sources. These antioxidants working together is called a “synergistic effect”, which not only helps in neutralizing more free radicals than just one antioxidant alone, but also supports the skin in repairing itself from environmental damage, including UV radiation and pollution.

The high potency of Vitamin C in Kakadu Plum, which we’ve been talking about, makes it exceptionally effective at brightening dark spots and reducing the look of hyperpigmentation. 

This happens because Vitamin C inhibits the enzyme Tyrosinase, which is responsible for the over-production of melanin, and inhibiting it can help fade dark spots and lead to a clearer, more even-toned complexion. And, given how concentrated Vitamin C is in Kakadu Plum, that brightening and skin-toning effect can happen faster and be more visible than with your average Vitamin C product. 

Oftentimes, Vitamin C can be very irritating for sensitive skin, leaving complexions red and dry. The natural form of Vitamin C in Kakadu Plum has been found to be less irritating to the skin because of its organic composition and Vitamin E pairing, especially when compared to synthetic forms of Vitamin C, like ascorbic acid, which is commonly used in skincare products. This makes Kakadu Plum a better option for those with sensitive skin and who might experience redness or irritation from traditional Vitamin C products.

The RMS Skincare Collection, Powered by Kakadu Plum

Now that you know all about why you need Kakadu in your skincare routine stat, here’s a great way to get it (probably our favorite way, if we do say so ourselves). Meet Rose-Marie’s skincare superstars, a three-piece, multitasking routine you’ll love. 

• Kakadu Beauty Oil
  This is a new and improved version of RMS’s original Beauty Oil—now infused with Rose-Marie’s must-have Kakadu Plum Seed Oil. “This is a pure oil with adaptogenic herbs,” Rose-Marie says. “No fillers, no binders, no crap.You'll be completely obsessed, and it will change your skin."
  
  This potent blend is made of deeply nourishing oils to balance the skin, improve texture, prep for makeup, and deliver rich, radiant hydration. Its light-but-super-concentrated blend of oils and proprietary adaptogenic herbs delivers powerful antioxidant defense and an all-day glow.
  
  To use, just place a few drops into your palms and press into skin. You can also do it Rose-Marie’s way, and mix a little in with UnCoverup for a tinted moisturizer all your own.

• SuperSerum Hydrating Mist
  There’s so much to love about our new SuperSerum Hydrating Mist, because it’s no ordinary face mist. This skin-nourishing multitasker is powered by GlowPlex™ with Niacinamide and natural peptides like Quinoa Seed Extract and Pea Extract to smooth, firm, and brighten skin tone.
  
  The Kakadu Plum Superfruit helps to plump and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, while Mineral-Infused Sea Water, Wildcrafted Buriti Oil, and our proprietary RMS Adaptogenic Herbal Blend balances the skin and provides long-lasting hydration.
  
  "I will literally close my eyes and do a couple of soft mists over my face,” Rose-Marie says about one of her new favorite products. “And it just absorbs right away in the skin. And your makeup looks so fresh like, "Oh my God, I just did my makeup from scratch again."
  
  Use it to revitalize makeup, but also feel free to use it to prep the skin for moisturizer or your skincare, or just to reinvigorate during the day. How you use it is up to you!

• Kakadu Luxe Cream
  This rich-yet-lightweight, super-indulgent cream is packed with skin-firming and skin-glowing ingredients like GlowPlex™ (a complex of Niacinamide and natural peptides including Quinoa Seed Extract and Pea Extract) and superfruit Kakadu Plum.
  
  This luxurious, ultra-hydrating, fragrance-free face cream smooths the look of fine lines, while boosting skin’s radiance instantly and over time.
  
  "It goes on so smooth, it's like silk,” Rose-Marie says. “You can feel a layer of moisture doing its thing on your skin without looking greasy. My skin is so soft now, I'm freaking out."
  
  To use, just take a scoop in your finger and press into skin after cleansing and applying your serums, but before applying your Kakadu Beauty Oil.