Firstly it is an essential vitamin for our body’s needs and also an amazing ingredient for healthy and glowing skin.
Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that help to protect cells from oxidative stress or damage caused by free radicals we are constantly exposed to (air pollution, UV rays from the sun). Radicals can lead to premature aging and cellular damage. It can also stimulate collagen production for wound healing, and improve our immune system to fend off illnesses. So, as you see Vitamin C and the immune system actually go hand in hand. And as you know, our immune works really hard to protect our body from bacteria and viruses by producing and sending out white blood cells. Vitamin C is an amazing nutrient to helps to reinforce our defense system. 🙂 You have probably heard your mom say: “Get some Vitamin C” or “Have you drink hot tea with lemon”. They know what to say :D.
Besides taking supplements, now you can easily find Vitamin C in a lot of skincare products. You still don’t know why and think it is part of the hottest beauty trend? Here it is! Vitamin C is hot for a reason: they really work (if you find the right one for your skin of course :D). Uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, acne scars, general dullness. The benefits of Vitamin C are not limited just to its antioxidant status, it also has plenty of other skin-healing properties. Vitamin C can promote collagen growth and helps prevent premature aging of the skin. More of that, it also can help prevent dark spots from forming.
Regarding vitamin C for our skincare routine, you’ll find that many products, especially serums, are in a dark bottle, have a short shelf life, and are more likely to oxidize within months. That is because they are usually made with pure L-Ascorbic acid and when it is exposed to light or air it breaks down. Luckily, you can also easily find many Vitamin C derivates that are more stable and just as potent as L-Ascorbic.
A lot of dermatologists agree that the best Vitamin C skincare product is serum, because “serums are more effective than creams and toners”. Effectiveness increases when combined with other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. As a general rule, serums should be layered underneath your moisturizer. Applying Vitamin C during the night helps to reverse skin damage from free radicals after a long day. During the day, after applying vitamin C and moisturizer, don’t forget to apply your sunscreen!
If you are new to using this ingredient on your skin, start slowly. It is better to start with a low concentration and way up as your skin grows more accustomed to the ingredients. 5% serums are generally gentle enough even for sensitive skin, if you don’t have sensitive skin feel free to go all the way up to 20 %.
