Vitamin C: The Skin Hero

Every day our skin is at risk of the damaging and aging effects of UV rays, pollution and even emotional stress. There are thousands of products and hundred ingredients used in skincare products that will work on tackling the issues, many with names we can’t understand or pronounce.

There is, however, one simple ingredient that we all know that is multi-functional and beneficial in fighting against many of these damaging factors. It is vitamin C.

We often hear of Vitamin C being recommended to be taken when flu season is upon us, but it can also have a number of great effects on your skin.

A Powerful Antioxidant

Vitamin C is regarded as being one of the best antioxidants for health and beauty. In case you don’t know, antioxidants are incredibly important for preventing the signs of aging and for fighting any free radicals that might want to attack the skin and break down your collagen supply. Put simply, the more antioxidants you can take in, the healthier your skin is going to look and feel.

Collagen’s Best Friend

One issue where vitamin C can work wonders is collagen. Collagen is a vital substance in the human body that makes up various connective tissues but also provides the elasticity that keeps the skin firm. As you age, collagen production declines and levels aren’t as high as they are in younger years. This is one of the major causes of sagging skin, wrinkles and lines. Vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production back to healthier levels.

Hyperpigmentation

Another positive skin benefit of vitamin C is the effect it can have on hyperpigmentation. When locally applied, vitamin C products can help to reduce the physical appearance of things like sun spots and dark patches, leaving your skin with a much more even tone.

Using Vitamin C

What is important to know about vitamin C and skincare is that it isn’t quite as simple as running to the kitchen and spraying yourself with raw lemon or orange juice. To get the most out of the vitamin C, it is best to use products that have been specifically formulated to make the most of its natural properties. Accompanying ingredients are introduced in order to keep the vitamin C stable and also to complement or boost its potency.

Something important to note is that bottles of skincare products containing vitamin C should be kept out of direct sunlight and not be exposed to too much open air. Arguably the most vital step to remember in the vitamin C skincare process is that different concentrations need to be used according to different skin types.

Whether you have dry mature skin or oily skin etc., you are going to need a vitamin C product that is formulated to be kind to your skin while still being effective. With this in mind, here are some of the best vitamin C products for different skin types.

Vitamin C for Dry Skin

• iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, a formula that significantly increases antioxidant protection while helping improve the appearance of compromised, blemish-prone, and aging skin.
• Isdinceutics Flavo-C Auriga Serum 30mL, a powerful vitamin C serum that acts on your skin for 10 hours by enhancing radiance, helping the skin regain its elasticity and deeply moisturizing it to make it look visibly rejuvenated.

Vitamin C for Sensitive Skin

• La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Face Serum, formulated with pure vitamin C, salicylic acid and neurosensine, the serum hydrates and smooths skin to revitalize its radiant glow.
• SkinCeuticals Serum 10, a lightweight serum containing vitamin C and ferulic acid to illuminate the skin and fight against free radicals and environmental stressors.
• Avene A-OXitive Antioxidant Defense Serum, a non-greasy formula packed with antioxidants to combat oxidative stress.

Vitamin C for Oily Skin

• Skinceuticals Silymarin CF, an oil-free antioxidant serum to reduce oil that causes breakouts. Improves the look of fine lines and minimizes pores giving a more even skin tone.
• IS Clinical Super Serum Advance+, a balance of powerful botanical antioxidants and safe skin brighteners’ evens skin tone by tackling fine lines and scar tissue.
• Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Vitamin C Booster, a fast-absorbing anti-aging serum plumps up wrinkles and strengthens and soothes skin for a fresher more radiant complexion.

Vitamin C for Mature Skin

• Obagi Professional - C Serum 20%, a deeply penetrating to stimulate collagen production and also protects against UVA and UVB damage.
• iS Clinical GenexC Serum, a revolutionary formula that contains 20% Vitamin C, to provide the most scientifically advanced, clinically proven benefits, such as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evening the complexion, resulting in a more youthful, glowing appearance.
• ZO 10% vitamin C Self-Activating, which brightens and redefines skin, promoting a more even skin tone and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.