Vitamin C deserves to be a legendary skincare ingredient. It’s a powerful antioxidant and a dermatologist darling because it fades dark spots, even texture and skin tone as it cranks up skin radiance. What’s more, it calms inflammation and boosts healthy collagen.
Do you get why you need it in your skincare now?
Where do we find it and why is vitamin C important?
Vitamin C is essential for keeping our bodies healthy and it is vital for many of our body’s processes. But, sadly, human beings can’t make it. So how do we get it?
From our diet, of course. Rich sources of vitamin C include tomatoes, citrus, sweet peppers, broccoli and guavas.
And then there’s supplementation. For our general health, we should take an oral supplement. But for our skin, it’s best to take it directly to source – through a vitamin C-rich skin product.
Why is vitamin C great for your skin?
It's a skin superhero with multiple perks:
- Fights free radicals and redness, thanks to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action
- Builds good-quality collagen and elastin for youthful, plump, and firm skin
- Supports skin maintenance, repair and wound healing
- Targets hyperpigmentation, evening out skin tone without affecting healthy pigmentation
- Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
- Amps up skin brightness and radiance
- Shields skin from UV rays and pollution
Is vitamin C good for all skins?
That depends on the type of vitamin C used. So you need to know which is good for your skin, and read your skincare labels carefully.
When it comes to skincare, natural vitamin C extracted from foods isn't the best choice. It degrades or breaks down easily, losing its effectiveness. That's why dermatologists and skincare experts opt for synthetic pure vitamin C – L-ascorbic acid.
Unfortunately, however, L-ascorbic acid comes with its own challenges, as exposure to light and air cause it to break down. To combat this, it's formulated without water, and/or it’s placed in dark or airless packaging that protects it from light and air.
The other stumbling block is that it has to be used in acidic low-pH formulas to be effective, and this can cause irritation in more sensitive skins.
BUT! There’s good news
The clever skin scientists get the best of all worlds by teaming up L-ascorbic acid with fatty acids, sugars or minerals to enhance its benefits and stability. They also help it absorb better into the skin and prevent irritation.
You’ll find these in the form of ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, among others, on the ingredients label.
We’ve chosen ethyl ascorbic acid, a potent and stabilized form of vitamin C, for our 20% Stabilized Vitamin C Serum. And we’ve added soothing ingredients like allantoin, broccoli and turmeric to strengthen the serum’s calming properties.
This makes it perfect for all skin types – normal, oily, blemished, mature, or sensitive skin.
Your guide to vitamin C use
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Start slow, depending on the form of vitamin C you choose.
For those prone to skin sensitivity: as with any new product you introduce, do a patch test on the inside of your elbow using the vitamin C product. Wait 24 hours to see if you have any negative skin reactions. -
Avoid pairing it with benzoyl peroxide to prevent oxidation, which makes vitamin C ineffective.
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Steer clear of using it at the same time as other acids. The exception is hyaluronic acid, which is its ideal hydrating partner.
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If using retinol as well, use it at night and use vitamin C in the morning.
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If using exfoliating acids, practice skin cycling: Alternate AHA, salicylic acid and PHA with vitamin C on different days, but proceed cautiously. If irritation occurs, consult a skincare pro or dermatologist.
Ready to take the next step in your healthy and happy skin journey?
