We’ve all heard of the wonders of vitamin C supplementation, from boosting immunity, to protecting the brain from neurodegenerative illness, among others. But did you know that vitamin C can also do wonders for your skin? Continue reading to find out some benefits of vitamin C for skincare.
Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically and absorbed through the skin, it provides an array of benefits from brightening, hydration, cell regeneration and more. If you’ve been wondering what serum to add to your skincare routine, here’s why vitamin C should be top on your list.
4 Benefits of Vitamin C for Your Skin
The basics of any skincare routine include a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Adding serums in between can help you elevate your skincare routine for better results. Vitamin C is one of the most essential products you can add to your routine, and here are 4 reasons why.
1. Reduces Signs of Ageing
Ageing is a natural process that is inevitable, but we all strive to age gracefully. As we grow older, our body composition changes along with all physiological functions—and the skin is no exception.
Ageing causes the skin to lose its natural elasticity, causing sagging and the appearance of wrinkles. The skin also loses fats and gets thinner, losing that youthful appearance. This is caused by decreased production of collagen in the body, which comes naturally with age.
Collagen is a protein produced in the body that makes up about 30% of the entire’s body’s protein count. It’s the same protein that’s responsible for structure, strength and support in the bones, muscles, connective tissues and the skin.
Vitamin C is an essential compound necessary in the synthesis of collagen. Applying vitamin C on your skin can visibly reduce the signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging by promoting the production of collagen. Regular use of topical vitamin C results in firmer, younger-looking skin.
2. Fights Free Radical Damage
Every day, our skin is exposed to all kinds of elements and compounds that are present in our environment and others produced in the body through chemical processes. Some of these compounds are free radicals (compounds that have missing electrons and bond to other compounds, causing a reaction).
When free radicals bond with the compounds in the body/skin, the reaction can cause damage to the skin cells known as free radical damage and that can affect your appearance.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it’s rich in electrons. The antioxidant property of vitamin C allows it to act as a magnet for free radicals—providing the missing electrons for free radicals to bond with, rather than with other cells, thereby preventing free radical damage. Additionally, vitamin C is water-soluble, which allows it to penetrate the cells and prevent free radical damage both inside and outside the cells. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties, which are essential for cell and tissue repair.
Applying vitamin C helps fight radical damage by promoting cell regeneration, and rids the body of damaged skin cells caused by free radicals.
4. Hydrates the Skin
Healthy skin starts with a healthy skin barrier, which cannot be achieved without hydration. This is why you should never skip the moisturizing part of your skincare routine. What you may not know is that vitamin C also helps lock in moisture in your skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
Unlike moisturizers which hydrate the skin by providing water and keeping it locked, vitamin C hydrates the skin by reducing transepidermal water loss (evaporation of water through the skin). This helps the skin retain more moisture, improving the skin barrier.
Using vitamin C along with your moisturizer will provide double hydration for your skin, improving your skin appearance.
Best Sources of Vitamin C for Skin Care
Great skin starts from the inside. To get the best visible results for your skin, start by nourishing your body with the right nutrients—including vitamin C, and stay consistent with your skincare routine.
Foods High in Vitamin C
Eating foods rich in vitamin skin can help you achieve great results for your skin and the nutrient is absorbed and transported throughout your body. Food rich in vitamin C include:
- Citrus fruits: oranges, lemon, grapefruit, clementine
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Bell peppers
Topical Vitamin C Serums
Topical vitamin C serums help fight radical damage and provide nourishment directly into the skin cells, improving skin texture, complexion and collagen production. Used along with other ingredients, topical vitamin C helps deal with multiple skin blemishes for a healthy and youthful skin.
How to Use Vitamin C Effectively in Your Skin-Care Routine
The efficacy of adding vitamin C to your skincare depends on two key factors:
- Choosing the right serum for your skin type
- Applying vitamin C the right way
How to Choose the Right Formula & Vitamin C Concentration for You
Vitamin C is available in different forms and concentrations. Your skin type will determine which form and concentration best suits you. Here are 4 of the most common forms and vitamin C and their action on the skin.
- Ascorbic Acid
The most potent and vastly researched form of vitamin C is ascorbic acid also referred to as L-ascorbic acid. Other forms of vitamin C have to convert to ascorbic acid before they can be effective on the skin. Ascorbic acid easily penetrates the skin barrier easily and is available in varying concentrations.
The optimal pH for ascorbic acid absorption is less than but for sensitive or dry skin types, a higher pH of between 5-7 is better to prevent skin irritation. For first time users, choose a vitamin C serum with a lower concentration;10% and build up as tolerated, up to 20% for maximum results.
Ascorbic acid is water-soluble, which makes it highly unstable and oxidizes when exposed to light and air. Oxidation renders the serum inactive—and can be harmful to your skin.
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA)
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (TA) is a fat soluble form of vitamin C that’s very gentle on the skin and highly stable. TA can penetrate deeper into the skin and has a better absorption rate than ascorbic acid. Once applied on the skin, TA relies on enzymes in the skin to break it down and convert into ascorbic acid for absorption.
TA is gentle and works well for all skin types with concentrations between 8-20% depending on your skin’s level of tolerance.
- Sodium Ascorbate
Sodium ascorbate is a mineral salt derived from ascorbic acid. This vitamin C formula is stable and less potent than ascorbic acid, but delivers great results with less skin irritation. Vitamin C serums with sodium ascorbate are great for beginners and those with sensitive or problematic skin because it doesn’t require low levels to remain potent.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
This is a weaker form of vitamin C that’s best for beginners and those with sensitive skin. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) is water-soluble but stable, but is often paired with other ingredients and antioxidants to achieve better results.
When to Apply Vitamin C
In your skincare routine, vitamin C comes right after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. This allows ample time for the serum to be absorbed into the skin without reacting with any other compound. When vitamin C comes into contact with water (from your moisturizer) it may cause a reaction that lowers the serum’s pH, which may render the serum ineffective.
Vitamin C can be applied both morning and evening, depending on your level of tolerance. For beginners, the best time to apply vitamin C is the morning because the skin is more exposed to free radicals during the day than at night. Additionally, vitamin C serum also protects against the damaging effects of UV rays during the day.
Refine Group: Your Number 1 Wholesaler for Skincare Products
Having a diligent skincare routine is just one piece of the puzzle to achieving healthy skin. The other half lies in getting the right products and knowing how and when to use them. At Refine Clinical Wholesale, we are committed to providing quality skincare products at great prices. Shop our range of skin brightening products and get a 10% discount on your first order.
