Vitamin C has become a go-to skincare ingredient, and for good reason. Here's a complete guide to vitamin C in skincare, including what it does for skin, how to use it, and the best clean skincare products with vitamin C.
We all know that vitamin C is important in our diets to keep us healthy. But can the vitamin have benefits when applied directly to skin? According to dermatologists and skincare experts, the answer is yes. Vitamin C has been popping up as the star ingredient tons of skincare items, but not all are created equal. In this guide, I'll walk you through what Vitamin C does for skin, how to use it, and how to find effective products.
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What is Vitamin C?
We know that Vitamin C is, of course, a vitamin. It is found in high concentrations in the skin, and acts like an antioxidant, protecting the body from free radical damage. The problem with dietary vitamin C is that very little of it is actually available to be used by the skin, so in order to get the benefits, we rely on topical application from skincare. On the skin, Vitamin C helps keep cells healthy by neutralizing damaging free radicals caused by things like sun exposure and pollution. It is also a co-factor for collagen synthesis. (We know collagen as the protein that keeps skin plump and firm.) Without adequate vitamin C, our bodies aren't very good at producing collagen.1
Benefits of Vitamin C For Skin
Because vitamin C blocks damaging free radicals and helps the body produce collagen, there are several benefits associated with using it on the skin, including2:
- Preventing damage caused by UV rays, such as precancerous changes
- Preventing signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles
- Reducing dark spot formation and lightening of existing dark spots
- Increasing wound healing
How To Use Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine
If you want to reap the benefits of vitamin C, use it daily as part of your skincare routine. My esthetician once told me that it's best used in the morning, before applying moisturizer or SPF. She said to help you remember when to use it, think of orange juice, which is high in vitamin C and typically we drink it in the morning.
Vitamin C is typically most bioavailable in the form of a serum or oil formulation. When looking for vitamin C in products, you want to look for a stable form of vitamin C (or else you're wasting your money), which can show up as ascorbic acid, or esterified vitamin C, and be sure the bottle isn't clear, which can cause the unstable vitamin to degrade. Look for a concentration of 10 to 20%, which has been shown to be most effective. Vitamin C can also be more effective when paired with Vitamin E, which you'll typically see as 'tocopherol'.
Who Should Not Use Vitamin C?
If you have sensitive skin, you may need to test a small amount of a lower concentration product before using it all over to make sure you don't have any irritation. Using vitamin C with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can also cause irritation, so don't use them at the same time. It should also not be used with benzoyl peroxide, which degrades the vitamin and makes it useless.
My Favorite Clean Vitamin C Products
This potent vitamin C serum visibly brightens skin and reduces fine lines in just a few use. It's an affordable option for everyday use that I love!
Because it's in powder form, this vitamin C booster is stable and effective. You can mix it with your favorite serum or moisturizer, giving any product the brightening power of vitamin C! I truly notice a difference with this one.
This silky serum includes encapsulated Vitamin C, mineral SPF 40, and Niacinamide in a waterless base for sun protection that also brightens skin instantly and over time.
This lightweight facial treatment oil with advanced oat-based lipid complex deeply nourishes and moisturizes, soothes and restores the barrier, promoting a nourished, healthy glow. Suitable for all skin types, and especially great for stressed or dull skin!
