You’ve probably heard about vitamin C serums if you’re interested in skin care.

One of the top substances on the market for anti-aging assistance and the secret to preserving a smooth, even, and glowing complexion is vitamin C.

Even while you presumably get vitamin C in your diet, there is no way to ensure that it reaches your skin. The most straightforward approach to get these advantages is to use serums and other topical treatments.

Continue reading to discover more about introducing a new product, adding this serum to your regimen, and other topics.

Benefits

We constantly extol the thing, but until you’ve used it and have the glow to prove it, it may be difficult to know what to anticipate from this super-ingredient. Simply put, it, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin cells from environmental toxins, UV damage, and other factors that cause premature aging. This mechanism of protection is sometimes referred to as the neutralization of free radicals in science and beauty. It is a safe and powerful acid that, when used in the appropriate quantity, may decrease dullness, uneven skin tone, texture, and acne scars while counteracting environmental aggressors. You’ll see brighter, more even, and, dare we say it, glowier skin with prolonged usage.

When should I use Vitamin C?

Although everyone of us has unique skincare requirements and regimens, we generally advise adding it to your routine every morning or every other morning. Because the antioxidant helps to defend against things like pollution and UV radiation, which you’re normally exposed to throughout the day, we specifically mention the morning. This also permits the uninterrupted use of stronger acids and exfoliants at night; however, more on this in a moment.

Make sure your skin is totally clean before applying vitamin C serum. Completely clean, we say it again. For the greatest results, be sure to thoroughly wipe away any cleanser remnants since they will act as a barrier, preventing your serum from being efficiently absorbed.

Reasons to Use Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine

1. It’s suitable for most skin types

Its safety record is great for vitamin C. The majority of individuals may utilize topical vitamin C for a long time without suffering any side effects.

In concentrations exceeding 20%, it may cause mild skin irritation, according to a 2017 assessment of the literature. As a result, its concentration in skin care products often varies between 10% and 20%.

2. It makes your skin tone more even and helps to lessen rednes

A 2015 analysis found that vitamin C’s ability to serve as an antioxidant also allows it to act as an anti-inflammatory agent. This indicates that it might lessen puffiness while calming your skin.

The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C may benefit:

neutralize the oxidative damage-causing free radicals
improve immunological function to prevent an inflammatory immune reaction
Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory qualities may also aid in reducing redness, which can lead to a more uniform complexion.

A clean, smooth skin tone results from the simultaneous elimination of dark spots, redness, and inflammation.

3. It hydrates skin

The majority of healthy skin and organs have high concentrations of vitamin C, which suggests that vitamin C builds up in the body through circulation, according to a 2017 assessment of the literature.

The ascorbic acid type of topical vitamin C penetrates the skin the best, according to review authors.

A 2022 study found that magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, another vitamin C derivative used in skin care, had a moisturizing impact on the skin. It improves the retention of moisture in your skin by reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

A 2019 research found that a serum that decreased TEWL by 19% and enhanced skin barrier function included Deschampsia antarctica extract, ferulic acid, and vitamin C.

4. It brightens skin

In order to minimize dullness, vitamin C may smooth the skin’s surface and assist remove pigmentation. Skin looks younger as a result of this.

The usage of it has been shown to suppress the synthesis of melanin, according to a 2017 study. The pigment responsible for giving skin its color is melanin.

It may aid in lightening hyperpigmentation and dark spots by preventing the development of melanin. It could also aid in making your skin seem more radiant.

5. It addresses hyperpigmentation

The most prevalent causes of hyperpigmentation, a common disorder marked by the appearance of darker patches on the skin, are excessive sun exposure and environmental stressors. Hyperpigmentation may age you even though it’s safe.

According to one research, vitamin C’s antioxidant qualities are crucial in reducing sun damage-related indications of aging and undesirable dark spots.

4 Tyrosinase, an enzyme that participates in the synthesis of melanin, is likewise inhibited by vitamin C, reducing hyperpigmentation.

Normal dark skin pigmentation will not be lightened by vitamin C; rather, it will only affect the aberrant melanin deposits brought on by sun damage.

6. It diminishes redness

Numerous variables, such as inflammatory skin diseases, sun exposure, hormones, and medical problems, may cause blotchy, uneven, and red skin.

But due to vitamin C, you don’t have to put up with skin redness. A substantial amount of research demonstrates that this super vitamin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics help to reduce redness. It also aids in the repair of broken capillaries that produce skin redness, resulting in a complexion that is smoother and more uniform.

7. It encourages collagen production

A naturally produced protein that dwindles with time is collagen. Fine lines and wrinkles may result from low collagen levels.

Through the process of collagen synthesis, vitamin C is widely recognized for increasing collagen production. In actuality, collagen production is dependent upon vitamin C.

This is due to the fact that vitamin C is a necessary cofactor for the two enzymes needed to produce collagen:

Lysyl hydroxylase offers structural support whereas prolyl hydroxylase stabilizes the collagen molecule.
The consumption of certain foods may also increase collagen synthesis.

8. It provides sun damage protection

Depleted vitamin C levels in the skin are linked to prolonged exposure to oxidative stress brought on by contaminants or ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Additionally, vitamin C levels are lower in older or photodamaged skin, while it is unclear whether this is a cause or an effect.

Free radicals are a class of chemicals that cause sun damage. These are atoms in which one electron is absent. Free radicals are atoms that seek for other atoms from which they might “take” an electron, which can seriously harm the skin.

Antioxidants abound in vitamin C. Healthy skin cells are shielded from free radical damage by antioxidants, which “give” these radicals an electron to make them harmless.

Side Effects

When administered physically or ingested through food, vitamin C is typically safe. A yellowish discoloration of the skin, however, may occur in those with sensitive skin or allergies.

After using topical vitamin C, some individuals may feel irritation including stinging, itching, and dryness. In addition to moisturizing every day, you may cure this by using a moisturizer on top of the vitamin C serum when you use it. You may also begin with a lesser dosage if you have sensitive skin to see how your skin responds.

Regardless of your skin type, it’s crucial to experiment with vitamin C before incorporating it into your normal skin care regimen. To prevent any redness and irritation, start by using vitamin C every other day or every few days and work your way up from there.

Our favorite Vitamin C Products:

1.Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream

There’s a reason why this quickly absorbing eye cream won the 2022 Best of Beauty award. The three forms of vitamin C included in this product help to lessen the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Not to add, it contains oat protein, which calms the region and minimizes redness.

2. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

It is adored by doctors and editors alike for its ability to drastically lighten dark spots brought on by sun damage as well as its fine line-smoothing properties. Another antioxidant that is present, ferulic acid, helps to maintain the combined vitamins C and E.

Although it is pricey, you only need a few pea-sized drops to cover your whole face, so it should last for a while. Additionally, you’ll see that it’s well worth the cost once you begin waking up every day with skin that is smoother and brighter.

3. Herbivore Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum

This serum from Herbivore is their most recent botanically based product and is designed specifically to lighten dark spots and level out skin tone. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, turmeric, which is high in antioxidants, and arbutin, a berry-based substance, are among the mixture’s active constituents. The face serum comes in a glass pump container to prevent air from contaminating the recipe, which might cause it to oxidize. However, to ensure the maximum shelf life, we still advise storing the bottle in a cold, dark place.

4. Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

Robert Finney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, suggests the Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum because it includes tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a highly stable version of the notoriously unstable vitamin C. To aid in barrier restoration, it also contains ceramides, vitamin E, and other antioxidants such peptides.

For those with sensitive skin who generally can’t handle the active component, it’s a good alternative since it retains the substance in such a stable state and includes soothing ingredients.

5. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Serum

According to studies, the benefits of vitamin C are amplified when it is coupled with vitamin E or ferulic acid. This is exactly what the Dermadoctor Kakadu C 20% Serum accomplishes, providing ferulic acid, vitamins C and E, and more in every drop.

How about the mysterious bottle? That’s advantageous for preserving vitamin C. Due to its infamous instability, it is a problematic component. If it comes into contact with light or air, it degrades rapidly. It thus helps if the dropper bottle is black or opaque.