7 Benefits Of Vitamin C For Your Skin
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In the world of skincare, vitamin C is legendary, worshipped by skin experts and dermatologists alike!
When you think of this incredible nutrient you might think of oranges and other citrus fruits, and you’re not wrong, in fact, vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables, but you might consider vitamin C as your holy grail skincare go-to when you discover the benefits they give to your skin when applied topically!
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Also known as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant.
Consuming vitamin C-rich foods supports the healthy functioning of your immune system, maintains your bones, teeth, and cartilage, as well as aids in the healing of wounds.
According to Healthline, vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that fights against free radicals and inflammation that can lead to a number of chronic diseases such as heart disease.
All fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C, but you’ll source the most from produce like cantaloupes, oranges, broccoli, red cabbage, kiwi and brussels sprouts.
With all the benefits of vitamin C for your skin, you are probably wondering how you can increase your vitamin C intake. But eating tons of oranges and cantaloupes won't cut it because the epidermis is lacking in blood vessels, which makes it difficult for this nutrient to reach your skin cells.
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However, vitamin C can (and should) be applied topically anyway! It is immediately absorbed into the top layers of the skin according to Very Well Health “Vitamin C accelerates the production of both collagen and elastin, which help keep the skin plump and firm”, making it much more effective at maintaining healthy skin when applied directly to skin rather than consumed.
And that’s usually where vitamin C serums tend to take centre stage because they are far more potent and easily absorbed into the skin, but you can find a good range of skincare products to help you get that vitamin C glow too, these generally include:
Moisturisers
Cleansers
Vitamin C serums
Toners
Sunscreens
BENEFITS OF USING VITAMIN C AND VITAMIN E TOGETHER
Vitamin C is a super-safe nutrient that you can use every day as part of your routine, and as mentioned before, it’s the most effective way to get vitamin C into your skin is when it is applied topically as a serum, but if you want to double down its positive effects, try using vitamin C in conjunction with vitamin E.
In an article on Good Housekeeping, cosmetic chemist Ginger King explained that vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant just like vitamin C and helps to prevent and protect your skin from free radicals, but it makes the perfect team with Vitamin C because it stops it from being oxidized quickly, “When you use the two ingredients together, there is a synergistic effect, and vitamin E helps preserve the efficacy of vitamin C,” says King.
This is probably why these two rockstar ingredients are included in the award-winning SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum and highly popular La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.
HOW DO I USE VITAMIN C SERUM?
It’s easy! After you have cleansed and toned your skin, just apply a small amount to your skin and massage it in until it has absorbed, then follow up with a moisturiser. For best results, use vitamin C serum in the morning and at night.
Now we’ve explored what vitamin C does for you internally, discovered the ways it can be applied topically and how to apply a vitamin C serum, here are 8 ways your skin will benefit from vitamin C when applied directly to the skin.
1. Safe For Most Skin Types
Although vitamin C is a powerful ingredient, it is also very safe for most skin types including; dry, sensitive, oily or combination, however, if you have oily skin, try using a water-based serum instead of an oil-based serum.
Also, if you have very sensitive skin, try testing a patch of skin with a lower-concentration formula to see how your skin reacts.
2. Hydration
Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, dissolve in water which makes it the ideal ingredient for a face serum which is typically applied when the skin is wet.
By applying vitamin C to the skin, fine lines and wrinkles can be plumped and hydrated.
3. Brightens Skin and Reduces Hyperpigmentation
According to Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, Melanin is the pigment responsible for the colour of the skin. Melanocytes produce it in the skin, which is responsible for pigmentation.
It is possible to develop dark spots and hyperpigmentation when these cells produce too much melanin causing some patches of the face or other parts of the body to become darker.
“Vitamin C can help inhibit tyrosine, an enzyme that plays a critical role in melanin production,” explains Robinson. As vitamin C blocks tyrosine, it can reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne scars, improving the texture and tone of your skin.
4. Promotes Collagen Production
Keeping your skin plump and firm requires collagen, which occurs naturally in the skin but it can be broken down by free radicals. Vitamin C aids in the production of collagen and protects your skin from free radical damage by fighting them.
Vitamin C is also helpful for synthesizing new collagen, which we lose as we age. As a result, vitamin C reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Vitamin C's added collagen production also aids wound healing.
5. Reduces The Appearance Of Under-eye Circles
Dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles can occur when the thin and delicate skin underneath your eyes becomes damaged.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin C reduces the appearance of under-eye circles by reducing puffiness and swelling around the eyes. Furthermore, vitamin C can improve circulation, reducing dark circles and brightening the skin in this area.
6. May Soothe Sunburns and Protect Against Sun Damage
Our skin can be affected by the sun, causing wrinkles, dark spots, and sunburns with frequent exposure.
The skin can be soothed by vitamin C after sun exposure, due to its anti-inflammatory properties which in turn, speed up the healing process.
Additionally, vitamin C prevents further sun damage by scavenging free radicals.
7. Can Reduce Acne
Through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, vitamin C can regulate sebum (oil) production in the skin making it a valuable skincare gem for those with acne-prone skin.
It can also help to soothe skin and keep acne at bay by reducing inflammation and redness whilst protecting the skin barrier by fighting free radicals caused by toxins such as bacteria and pollution.
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