What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C has been used in skincare for years. It is a proven active ingredient delivering benefits of healthier, younger and brighter skin.
A naturally occurring element in our skin which is plentiful when we are younger, helping to keep our skin healthy, however as we age, the levels of Vitamin C decrease over time, resulting in a less even, less bright and less firm tone.
Photodamage can exacerbate the depletion of Vitamin C, so unprotected skin and not using an SPF leading to UV damage will further deplete Vitamin C levels and decreases your skin’s own protection against UV damage. This leaves your skin prone to ageing, lines, uneven tone and prone to hyperpigmentation.
There are numerous topical skincare products that include Vitamin C to ensure your skin can benefit from this powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C in skincare can help replace what your skin has lost naturally.
In the same way we eat vegetables and foods rich in antioxidants to help our bodies fight illness and regenerate cells, Vitamin C in skincare is the equivalent food for our skin.
Benefits of Vitamin C for the skin
There are multiple reasons why you should include Vitamin C in your skincare routine:
- Even out the skin tone
- Helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Boosts the brightness of the skin
- Helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and helps to neutralise free radicals
- Vitamin C encourages the skin to heal itself – boosting the production of elastin and collagen
- Aids the skin’s natural regeneration process
- Inhibits skin melanin production – helping to prevent hyperpigmentation
You will see in this video demonstration- Vitamin C and apple video , the use of a Vitamin C based antioxidant serum prevents the oxidisation of an apple. It doesn’t turn brown because the Vitamin C protects the apple flesh from oxidative damage. It has the same impact on the skin if used regularly, protecting the skin from environmental damage.
Vitamin C skin products
Vitamin C is available in serums, creams and treatments. The one to look for is L-ascorbic acid (this is a stable and effective Vitamin C for skincare). Serums are generally favourable for antioxidants and well absorbed.
The benefits of powerhouse Vitamin C become even more potent when formulated with other antioxidants such as Vitamin E. SkinCeuticals are the masters at this. Their antioxidant serums are a perfect example of when combining antioxidants, it really maximises their efficacy and strength, by up to 8 times!
It is important to look out for how different Vitamin C products are packaged. Vitamin C breaks down when it is exposed to daylight and air, so pots of cream would be ineffective in a short space of time. Opt for products in dark, glass bottles that will maintain their stability.
How to use Vitamin C in your routine
If you haven’t used Vitamin C products before, there are different concentrations of Vitamin C that are more suitable depending on your skin type, so it’s best to look into the options before choosing a Vitamin C product.
Antioxidant serums should be layered underneath your moisturiser. As a general rule, you should start with your thinnest product and work your way to your thickest, unless otherwise stated on the individual product.
They can be used alongside other products such as Retinols and exfoliating AHA’s. However, introduce one product at a time to check for any irritation first.
Using an antioxidant such as Vitamin C in your skincare routine will help protect your skin against free radicals and environmental damage. However, as always it is vital that to accompany these efforts you use at least an SPF30 broad-spectrum for a two-pronged defence.
Our favourite vitamin C products:
C E Ferulic – with 10% Vit C – for normal to dry skin – great for ageing and dull skin.
Phloretin C F – with 10% Vit C – for normal to oily/combo skin – great for pigmentation and evening out tone
Serum 10 – with 10% Vit C – for sensitive or problem skin – great young skin
Silymarin – with 15% Vit C – for oily, combination and acne prone skin – great for blocking the oil oxidation that leads to blemishes
If you would like to discuss including antioxidant products into your skincare routine with our Aesthetic Doctor, please contact the Hedox Clinic to arrange a free remote consultation on 0208 185 7273 or email us at info@hedoxclinic.co.uk