WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT VITAMIN C?

There’s a lot of talk about Vitamin C being the ingredient above all ingredients when it comes to skincare. So, is it really that good? What is it, what are the benefits, and how should you be using it? Let’s uncover more below.

Vitamin C, aka ascorbic acid or l-ascorbic acid, is a natural water soluble vitamin found in many citrus fruits and green vegetables. Since our bodies don’t produce it, we get this important nutrient from foods, supplements, and skincare.

There are several different forms of Vitamin C used in skincare [1]. The most potent being l-ascorbic acid although it’s the most unstable and vulnerable to degradation. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl palmitate are less potent, yet more stable forms that also provide many benefits. Finally, the most stable and absorbing forms used in skincare today are tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.

BENEFITS

This natural antioxidant has many benefits which is why it’s known as a super vitamin. Most importantly it helps fight free radicals and oxidative stress you’re exposed to in your environment to prevent skin cell damage. 

Vitamin C triggers your skin to repair itself by stimulating healthy cell turnover and collagen production, naturally preventing sagging and plumping fine lines and wrinkles [2].

Its powerful antioxidant properties also act as a brightening agent evening skin tone by inhibiting melanin production to correct sun spots, age spots, melasma, or other hyper-pigmentation [3].

USE

Eating fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin c doesn’t guarantee the nutrient will reach our skin [4]. Therefore, the use of topical Vitamin C is the most direct way to obtain its benefits. 

Although you’ll see vitamin c used in many different products, it’s most powerful and stable when used in its pure form with a concentration of at least 15% alongside other antioxidants such as vitamin e and ferulic acid [5,6]. Because this antioxidant is vulnerable to UV light and air exposure, we recommend buying it in small, opaque bottles that protect it from outside elements.

Apply your serum once or twice daily on cleansed skin before your moisturizer. If you’re using it during the day, remember to always apply sunscreen as it’ll increase your sensitivity to the sun.

Sources:

1. Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ (2017) Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 10, 14–17.
2. Crisan D, Roman I, Crisan M, Scharffetter-Kochanek K, Badea R (2015) The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 8, 463–470.
3. Telang PS (2013) Vitamin C in dermatology.Indian Dermatol Online J 4, 143–146.
4. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM (2017) The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.Nutrients 9,.
5. Rattanawiwatpong P, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Bumrungpert A, Maiprasert M (2020) Anti‐aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split‐face, randomized controlled trial.J Cosmet Dermatol 19, 671–676.
6. Lin F-H, Lin J-Y, Gupta RD, Tournas JA, Burch JA, Selim MA, Monteiro-Riviere NA, Grichnik JM, Zielinski J, Pinnell SR (2005) Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin.J Invest Dermatol 125, 826–832.