If you are ahead of the skin care game, you are likely to be familiar with legendary vitamin c serums – the key to maintaining a bright, smooth, even complexion.
Vitamin C + Serum = Healthy, Glowing Skin!
Learn how to incorporate this ingredient into your daily skincare regimen for faster-than-ever results.
When it comes to skin care, Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient. It helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, reduces inflammation, and promotes collagen production. Plus, it's hydrating and helps rejuvenate tired-looking skin. If you're looking for an all-in-one anti-aging solution, look no further than Vitamin C! In this post, we'll discuss the benefits of Vitamin C in skin care and share our top tips for incorporating it into your routine. Keep reading to learn more!
Vitamin C has a magnificent reputation for being safe and suitable for any skin type. Many can use it for an extended period without any adverse effects. It can also be combined with retinols, alpha acids and SPF.
Vitamin C can be found in high levels in the outer layer of skin also known as the epidermis and the inner layer of skin known as dermis. Its vital role in collagen production and antioxidant properties will keep your skin glowing and looking healthy. A key ingredient found in numerous anti-aging products.
What is vitamin c and what does it do for skin care?
Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is a naturally occurring substance that stimulates collagen production. It has antioxidant properties and can protect skin from sun damage and light wrinkles.
Vitamin C derivatives – what are they?
The term 'derivatives' refers to chemicals created during processing/manufacturing of vitamin C.
What are the different forms of vitamin c?
The most popular form of vitamin C, for skin care purposes, is L-ascorbic acid . This pure form of vitamin C has been shown to have the best results in terms of collagen production, etc. Unfortunately it is also more unstable and may cause some concern about irritation and other side effects. Other forms that are more stable include:
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or SAP (a water-soluble form of vitamin C). The version above is believed to be more effective than other forms like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Unfortunately, it also tends to be quite unstable and may convert to ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) over time. This form is more common in products that are not intended for use around the eyes, or products that will remain on the shelf for a long period of time.
Ascorbyl palmitate . Ascorbyl palmitate can be either fat-soluble (meaning it is soluble in oil) or water-soluble. Fat-soluble ascorbyl palmitate has been linked to vitamin A toxicity and should be avoided by pregnant women and those with liver problems.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate . Usually used in concentrations of 0.1%, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that is stable, with few side effects reported. It does not convert to pure vitamin C, even with water-based products (such as toners).
What are the pros/cons of each?
Vitamin C is known for its many benefits and studies have shown it to be effective in reducing hyper-pigmentation, skin discoloration, age spots and other signs of aging. Unfortunately, pure vitamin C is not very stable when exposed to light or air (oxidation).
The most common form, L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) can also cause significant irritation when applied to the skin at concentrations higher than 10%. Side effects from vitamin C include redness, burning and skin flaking.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a water-soluble form of vitamin C that is more stable and less irritating than other derivatives. It has been shown to have similar effects to L-ascorbic acid in stimulating collagen production while also providing antioxidant benefits. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl palmitate (fat-soluble) also have anti-aging properties, but little research has been done to support the claim that they work on wrinkles or acne scars.
As mentioned earlier, some people may be concerned about vitamin A toxicity from magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
The benefits of using vitamin c in skin care products are numerous, ranging from improving skin texture and decreasing wrinkles to stimulating collagen production.
However, despite its importance in the body, vitamin c is only found in low concentrations in the skin. It has been estimated that humans are born with approximately 1g of vitamin C contained within their bodies. If you consider that an average person weighs 70kgs, it would only take 50mg of vitamin C to saturate the bodies' natural stores. In fact, a person who weighs just 5kg would have to ingest 730g of oranges in order to get that amount! This is why it is so important to replenish your body's supply through topical vitamin c skin care products.
These products contain high concentrations of ascorbic acid, which is the same active form that can be found in oranges and other citrus fruits. We all know that vitamin c helps to keep us healthy by boosting our immune system and aiding our body's ability to fight against infections – what you might not realise is how much it also aids skin health
How to choose the right vitamin c-based skin care product for your needs
The first thing you need to know about vitamin C is that it's the only antioxidant whose clinical benefits on skin have been proven by scientific research. That means that if you find a product that has this ingredient, then there are scientifically valid reasons to believe that your skin will benefit from it.
What does vitamin C do? Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is a water soluble antioxidant, which means that it will be washed out of the skin when you cleanse. That's why most vitamin C based products are either in form of serum, or light moisturizers called lotions, creams or gels.
As an antioxidant, vitamin C can neutralize free radicals caused. The most important source of free radicals is the sun, but they can also be formed when skin is exposed to air pollutants or chemical substances.
Free radicals actually come in different forms, which means that vitamin C alone won't stop them all. If you choose a vitamin C product make sure it's combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E (tocopherol).
In the skin, vitamin C is converted into L-ascorbic acid. The concentration of ascorbic acid in a skin care product determines how much your skin will benefit from it. Unfortunately, there are no official guidelines for what percentage of ascorbic acid is needed to be beneficial. In fact, many studies found that only 1% of vitamin C makes a good antioxidant. However, I've seen many skin care products claim to be "antioxidant", but their percentage of ascorbic acid is only 0.1-0.3%.
What about L-ascorbic acid stabilizers?
As you probably know, vitamin C is very unstable and rapidly looses its activity when it's exposed to air and light. That's why most skin care products contain ascorbic acid stabilizers like sodium ascorbyl phosphate or magnesium ascorbyl palmitate. These compounds are not antioxidants by themselves, but they help vitamin C during the manufacturing process of a skin care product. Even when vitamin C might not be the best antioxidant for skin, it's still needed to stabilize these other antioxidants.
Vitamin C and sun damage
Vitamin C is an important nutrient for the skin, providing many benefits including protection from sun damage. While it is always important to use sunscreen when spending time outdoors, vitamin C can help to reduce the risk of sun damage and also improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals that can damage the skin. It also helps to stimulate collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve overall skin health. When applied topically, vitamin C can help to brighten the skin and even out its tone. Vitamin C is found in many skincare products, including serums, creams, and masks.
The benefits of using vitamin c in skin care products
The benefits of using vitamin c in skin care products are many. Vitamin c is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, environmental toxins and pollution. It can also help to boost collagen production, which helps to keep the skin looking young and healthy. Vitamin c is also known for its ability to brighten the skin and even out skin tone.
When used in skin care products, vitamin c can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. It can also help to reduce inflammation and redness. Vitamin c is a water-soluble vitamin, so it is easily absorbed by the skin.
Vitamin c is an essential nutrient for healthy skin. It can help to protect the skin from damage, keep it looking young and healthy, and even out skin tone. When used in skin care products, vitamin c can help you achieve all of these things. So, if you are looking for a way to improve your skin’s appearance, consider using products that contain this important nutrient.
