Article Overview
- Over recent years, vitamin C products, especially serums, have come to be seen as one of the most important elements of an efficacious skincare routine. The increased demand for this ingredient is due to the varied vitamin C serum benefits including antioxidant properties, reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and the ability to brighten a dull-looking complexion. This guide to the skin benefits of topical vitamin C will detail why and how vitamin C works, as well as how to use vitamin C in the most efficacious manner.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can be found in foods, supplements and in skincare products. Antioxidants are necessary vitamins to protect the skin against free radicals, unstable molecules in the environment, that damage skin cells and contribute to premature ageing. Depleted vitamin C levels leave you susceptible to free radical damage, which is why supplementing it is essential. While ingesting vitamin C from foods and dietary supplements is limited in its ability to support the skin, a topical vitamin C absorbs directly into the skin for better skin benefits. Topical vitamin C is most commonly found in facial serums, gels and certain creams.
Why is topical vitamin C good for your skin?
Vitamin C is more effective in the form of L-ascorbic acid. This is the most pure and potent form of vitamin C. There are a number of benefits to this powerful skincare ingredient.
What are the benefits of vitamin C serums?
- Protects against environmental aggressors
- Prevents photoageing
- Visibly reduces dark spots and dark circles under the eyes
- Brightens skin and visibly reduces redness
- Promotes collagen production
- Combines well with sunscreen to enhance free radical protection
- Strengthens skin moisture barrier function
Antioxidant properties
Topical vitamin C's most popular skin benefit is, as an antioxidant, its ability to fight free radicals in the environment that can exacerbate existing skin concerns and contribute to the formation of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and dark under eye circles. It also helps improve the efficacy of sunscreen, protecting against harmful UV rays caused by prolonged sun exposure.
Vitamin C for anti-ageing
A potent L-ascorbic acid can help promote collagen and elastin production, two proteins responsible for your skin's elasticity and suppleness. By supporting the skin's natural skin cell renewal process, a regular topical vitamin C serum keeps the skin firmer, smoother, and more resilient, with a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin C also provides preventative skin benefits but helping to mitigate the harmful effects of environmental aggressors.
Visibly fades dark circles
Vitamin C is effective in targeting dark circles in several ways. As an antioxidant, it protects against free radicals that contribute to uneven skin tone and tired-looking skin. It also helps address the factors that cause hyperpigmentation, while also promoting collagen production to visibly reduce dark shadows caused by loss of skin elasticity.
Dark spots and hyperpigmentation
The benefits of vitamin C for hyperpigmentation and dull skin are well-known, whether that means addressing uneven skin tone or pigmentation. Vitamin C can help reduce the factors that contribute to uneven skin tone to lighten dark spots and support a smoother, more even complexion.
Improves skin brightness
Vitamin C can also help promote a brighter, more radiant complexion. Its antioxidant properties help visibly reduce redness caused by irritation and minimise the appearance of post-blemish marks. Vitamin C also supports the skin moisture barrier function, helping to maintain hydration and protect against environmental damage.
Visibly reduces redness
Vitamin C can help visibly reduce redness in two ways: this antioxidant has comforting properties that can help irritated or sensitive skin, helping visibly reduce redness associated with irritation. Antioxidant properties also work to protect against environmental aggressors that contribute to redness.
Supports collagen production
Vitamin C is one of a few skincare ingredients regarded for its ability to promote collagen production, in addition to protective effects. Vitamin C is considered a "helper molecule" for enzymes that are required to promote collagen. This in turn helps achieve a more supple appearance.
>
Supports skin moisture barrier
Because vitamin C protects against environmental aggressors, this ingredient supports the skin's moisture barrier function. This, in turn, helps to maintain skin hydration to improve the skin's overall condition and appearance.
Does topical vitamin C help with breakouts?
Yes! Vitamin C is a multi-dimensional skincare ingredient that can provide benefits to blemish-prone skin. Firstly, topical vitamin C can help visibly reduce redness caused by skin irritation, minimising red spots that come with pimples. Research also suggests that vitamin C promotes collagen production, speeding up skin cell renewal to visibly improve post-blemish marks, and can help manage excess oil production that contribute to persistent breakouts.
Choosing the right vitamin C serum
When searching for the right vitamin C product for you, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
1. Choose an effective form of vitamin C
Look for serums that contain L-ascorbic acid, the most effective form of vitamin C for skin health.
2. Look for at least 10% concentration
A concentration of at least 10% L-ascorbic acid is recommended to see noticeable improvements in your skin’s appearance.
3. Find products with a multi-antioxidant blend
In addition to L-ascorbic acid, consider serums that include other antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid. These ingredients work synergistically with vitamin C to enhance its anti-ageing effects and provide comprehensive protection against environmental damage.
4. Pay attention to the serum’s pH level
Vitamin C is most effective at a pH of 3.5 or lower, so choose a product that falls within this range to ensure maximum efficacy.
5. Choose for your skin type
There are a few vitamin C serums available, so it's important you choose a topical vitamin C that suits your skin type.
6. Patch test new products
Always patch test new skincare products before regular use. Apply a small amount of vitamin C serum onto a small area of skin and leave for 24 hours. If there are no reactions, you can gradually introduce the product into your skincare routine.
How to apply vitamin C serum
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your product:
- Apply the serum to clean, dry skin after cleansing and toning.
- Use a few drops and gently massage it into your skin until fully absorbed.
- Follow with a complementary serum, like hyaluronic acid, to enhance its skin benefits.
- For your daytime routine, follow with a moisturiser and broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen.
How to store vitamin C serum
Store a vitamin C serum in a cool, dark area. Excessive sun exposure and heat can degrade the serum and reduce its potency, so you should ideally store it in a drawer or cabinet away from the sun. Air and moisture can also impact L-ascorbic acid's efficacy, so ensure you keep the bottle tightly closed when not using it.
Ideal skin care routine with vitamin C serum
Incorporating a vitamin C serum into your daily skincare routine can significantly enhance your skin’s appearance. Here’s a simple yet effective routine to follow:
- Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin.
- Tone: Use a toner containing witch hazel or tea tree oil to balance your skin’s pH and prepare it for the next steps.
- Apply vitamin C serum: Apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to your skin and gently massage it in. This step helps to brighten your complexion and protect against environmental damage.
- Moisturise: Follow up with a moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to lock in moisture and keep your skin supple.
- Sunscreen: Finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Shop Featured Products
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin
Vitamin C serum for oily skin and blemish-prone skin types
Serum 10 AOX Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin
A daytime introductory antioxidant serum that offers environmental aggressor protection for all skin types, including sensitive skin, while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Phloretin CF Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum for discolouration
