Vitamin C’s got ~a lot~ of health benefits. I mean, if you do a quick google search, you might find yourself going out to buy a giant bag of lemons and limes to add every single beverage of yours at home… or is that just me?
This potent antioxidant's health benefits can also be experienced when applied to our skin topically. First thing’s first though, we do not want to put that fresh citrus directly on our face! DIY at-home citrus masks can be very dangerous, so let’s make sure we are practicing safe-skin habits and leave the antioxidants to our professionally formulated products!
The benefits? You name it.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help promote collagen production to reduce wrinkles, firm out fine lines, and protect the skin cells from environmental aggressors such as UV exposure. It also helps strengthen the skin barrier to thicker and healthier skin, which is another way your skin can protect itself agains irritants and pollutants.
Among all of this, there is even more! Vitamin C is can also be used to target sun-spots or hyperpigmentation, as it prohibits the production of precancerous signs caused by sun damage. It works to fade dark spots without shifting your skin’s regular pigmentation
Some people I’ve personally spoken to who have more mature-but-glowing skin, have sworn that Vitamin C was the ingredient they used the most over the years. If that’s not promising, I don’t know what is!
Vitamin C can be used in different forms; I personally use cosdna and skincarisma to learn more about ingredients and their effects, as well as the different names they can be listed under.
You will commonly see Vitamin C listed as L-Ascorbic Acid, which is the most pure and effective form of Vitamin C for skin. This form can also be irritating to some skin-types, often because of the high acidity, or potentially because of compromised skin barriers. For this reason, t is recommended to start with smaller percentages or to use less often, and then work your way up to higher intensive products as your skin adjusts.
Vitamin C has a complicated makeup, and fragile stability. Your vitamin C products should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark area. When exposed to oxygen or sunlight, the product will oxidize and become ineffective on your skin. You’ll know when this happens, because the color will change to an off-putting yellow or orange, and the scent of the product will become more pungent.
Many other fruit and botanical extracts contain Vitamin C as well.It works very well alongside other antioxidants. You might see products with Vitamin C that contain niacinamide(vitamin B3), ferulic acid(found in some ingredients with oats, rice, and citrus), and vitamin E. These ingredients aid in the effectiveness of Vitamin C, and I believe that is why many popular Korean products contain low percentages of Ascorbic Acid alongside natural citrus extracts or antioxidants. These formulations make it more affective for sensitive-skin types.
When it comes to more long-term skincare treatments, instant gratification isn’t something we should expect. Of course, some products will make your skin feel great and glowy, and we love that amazing feeling! But when it comes to things like wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, or scarring, patience and consistency is key. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that you should allow between up to eight weeks before seeing results. The wait is well worth it, I promise!
Sometimes, Ascorbic Acid can have a slight warming sensation on the skin. While this is absolutely normal, it isn’t always ideal in higher concentrations for those with more sensitive skin. For this reason, I’m going to highlight some awesome Vitamin C recommendations below that are ideal for all skin types!
