Can Teenagers Use Vitamin C Serum
Yes, they can. Vitamin C serum offers some great antioxidant and acne-fighting benefits for teenagers. It helps fight acne, pollution, and sun damage, making your skin look fresh and supple.
It also helps with cell turnover, collagen production, and creating a flawless-looking skin tone. If youre a teenager and are looking to use a vitamin C serum, check the products label to make sure its appropriate for your skin type.
What Is Vitamin C Used For
The one condition vitamin C can definitely treat is vitamin C deficiency. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , an estimated 7.1% of the U.S. population can be classified as being vitamin C deficient. Those with a severe dietary deficiency of vitamin C can develop scurvy, characterized by bruising, bleeding gums, weakness, fatigue, and rash.
Outside of a known deficiency, vitamin C is believed by some to aid in the treatment or prevention of numerous diseases, including colds, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, chronic pain, cataracts, gastritis, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Although the evidence supporting these claims is generally weak, there have been several promising findings in recent years.
Aha 7 Whitehead Power Liquid + Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
CORSX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid and The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
Here’s another acid with a slightly higher pH level, and 7% glycolic acid. That makes it less irritating than other glycolic acid formulas. Leave it on 30 minutes before you put on the vitamin C derivative, ethyl ascorbic acid.
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How Do I Pick The Right Formula For My Skin
For starters, both DuPéré and Humphrey say that using a vitamin C serum is the most effective way to make the most of the ingredients benefits. An aqueous base formula such as a serum is preferred for home use as it provides better absorption and is an easier application, says DuPéré.
Since different skincare products contain different percentages of vitamin C, its worth seeking advice from a physician or skincare expert. But to get you started, DuPéré says you should look for stable 10% to 20% L-ascorbic acid mixed with vitamin E for better absorption.
For first-timers, look for products formulated with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is a stable form of Vitamin CDuPéré says this form is less irritating to the skin and is generally tolerated by all skin types.
Benefits Of Vitamin C
L-ascorbic acid, or pure vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. Triggered by various environmental factors such as pollution, smoke and UV rays, free radicals can break down your skins collagen and cause visible signs of aging to form this can include wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, dry patches and more. In fact, vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It also helps address hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and with continued application results in a brighter complexion.
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Can I Apply Moisturizer After Vitamin C Serum
Well, it is pointless if you directly use moisturizer after applying vitamin C serum as it will not absorb into your skin. However, you can definitely use moisturizer after washing off vitamin C serum from the face in the morning.
We suggest you apply an SPF-contained moisturizer as it helps protect you from UV rays and reduces the risk of irritation.
Also, if your skin reddens while applying serum, you can use fragrance moisturizer after directly applying serum.
Who Should Use A Vitamin C Serum On Their Skin
According to the study in Nutrients, vitamin C can help protect the skin from many problems, including sunburn, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, and an uneven skin tone. Anyone dealing with these skin issues may want to consider adding a vitamin C serum to their skincare regimen. But its a good idea to get started even if these issues havent crept up yet. While its often presented as an anti-aging ingredient, the best time to prevent aging is before it occurs, Schlessinger says.
Saedi recommends vitamin C serums for people of all ages because virtually everyone is at risk of sun damage, and with vitamin C serums we are minimizing the amount of sun damage that our skins getting from sunlight, she says.She says it does double duty of both protecting the skin and helping problem areas recover. Its preventative in that its protecting you from sun damage and signs of aging like wrinkles, Saedi says. It also helps promote collagen and boost your natural collagen formation.
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Can You Use Vitamin C Serum In Summer
The short answer is yes, you can use vitamin C serum in the summer. You can also use it in the winter, spring and fall. In fact, you can use vitamin C serum whenever you want as long as your skin isnt sensitive to it.
Truly, theres no reason why you shouldnt be incorporating vitamin C into your routine all year round. Just like watermelon or strawberries, vitamin C serum is a fruit-based product, so its safe for all seasons.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that brightens your skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains collagen-boosting properties to help tighten and smooth out your skin for a more youthful complexion.
All of this adds up to healthy, vibrant skin .
Can They Be Combined
Theres a big difference between using retinol and vitamin C concurrently, and combining the two for use simultaneously. In addition to the irritation risks of starting two different skin treatments at the same time, there are also potential problems from applying them at the same time.
Conventionally, this has been advised against for a few reasons. First of all, vitamin C and retinol have different solubility requirements. Vitamin C is soluble in water, whereas vitamin A compounds are soluble in oil.
Used separately, topical creams and serums dont cause each other problems, but if youre layering the two, it can make both treatments less effective.
In the past, there were also assumptions about the efficacy of these treatments that had to do with pH levelsthey were more effective at conflicting pH levels, and combining two treatments could make for a less effective experience.
These days, pre-combined cosmetic formulations have been shown in limited studies to offer a stable, effective solution for using both vitamin C and retinol at the same time.
A 2012 study noted some promising results, though it noted a lack of data or explanation as to how stability is achieved in these cases. In other words, research is ongoing as to whether combinations are an alternative to two separate treatments.
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What Does Vitamin C Serum Do
Vitamin C serum is touted to be one of the best anti-ageing ingredients. Safe for all skin types, Vitamin C serum has several benefits. It hydrates the skin, brightens the complexion, treats inflammatory skin conditions, fades hyperpigmentation, reduces the appearance of dark circles, promotes collagen production, prevents the skin from sagging, protects it against sun damage, soothes sunburns and heals wounds. Phew! Now thats a long list of benefits.
Benefits Of Vitamin C For Skin
Vitamin C is an impressive skincare ingredient that is shown to be effective in the following areas:
- Protects against environmental stressors: As an antioxidant, one of vitamin Cs main functions is protecting the skin. “Normal cellular processes, as well as environmental insults like ultraviolet light and pollution, create free radicals in the skin,” Herrmann explains. “Free radicals are inherently unstable molecules that damage cells, promoting skin dullness, wrinkles, and even cancers.” Guanche adds, “Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it can protect to skin from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.” By scavenging these free radicals, vitamin C protects the skin, keeping it healthy and improving visible signs of aging.
- Promotes collagen production: Vitamin C also plays an important role in collagen synthesis. “Collagen gives our skin support and structure, and as it degrades with age, we begin to notice wrinkles and lines,” Herrmann explains. “Vitamin C is a necessary cofactor for building collagen bundles, without which this process halts.”
- Lightens brown spots: Vitamin C is also helpful in lightening unwanted brown spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or decreasing brown discoloration by blocking the pathway of pigment synthesis, according to both Herrmann and Guanche.
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How To Use A Vitamin C Serum And Reap Its Benefits
Saedi says to apply a few drops of serum to your face after you wash and dry it. A little bit goes a really long way, she says. She recommends putting it on every morning, all year round. It has some benefits with sun exposure so it helps to apply in the morning as the first layer of protection, she says. She says to then layer on your moisturizer and sunscreen. Serums are better than adding drops of vitamin C boosters to your moisturizer, Saedi says. They may not be as potent as serums themselves and mixing them with moisturizer may dilute the effects.
Store your bottle in a cool, dark place away from extreme heat, such as a bathroom cabinet as opposed to on your counter. Storing a vitamin C serum correctly is integral to its success, Schlessinger says. A good rule of thumb is to toss the serum six months after its been opened and to keep the serum in a cool, dark place. If youre using it according to the instructions, itll likely be gone before the six months is up. If not, youll want to throw it out. When vitamin C is used past its shelf life, it can actually have negative effects, Schlessinger says. More on that next.
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Retinol And Vitamin C In Your Skincare Routine
While some skincare ingredients are better used in combination with others, some are powerful enough to benefit the skin on their own. Retinol and Vitamin C reside in both of these categories.
Retinol as a sole treatment is extremely effective for stimulating collagen production, treating acne, tightening the skin, softening skin texture and leveling skin pigment. Vitamin C can single-handedlybrighten the skin,shield the skin from pollutants andsun damage,treat hyperpigmentation, andreduce skin inflammation and redness.
Used separately, these two ingredients can target specific skin conditions but when used together, Retinol and Vitamin C create the ultimate skin-beautifying duo for any skin type. Before we divulge the benefits of using this powerful skincare combination in unison, it helps to understand why and how these two ingredients work so well individually.
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What To Look For
You can maximize the benefits of vitamin C by combining it with other antioxidants. This works best with vitamin E and ferulic acid, says Chapas. Together, they have optimal absorption benefits when it comes to anti-aging, skin brightening, and protection against free radical damage.
It also plays well with vitamin B and hyaluronic acid. However, do not mix vitamin C with a retinol or niacinamide, because the pH levels are incompatible, says Wexler. If you want to use both, she suggests waiting half an hour between applications.
Also worth noting: Vitamin C is notoriously prone to oxidizing. It can break down when its exposed to light or air, says Chapas. Always check expiration dates on your products, and if you notice a sour smell or discoloration, its most likely breaking down.
Here are some of our favorite products for getting vitamin C into your skin care routine.
BeautyRx Skincare Triple Vitamin C Serum
With three different forms of vitamin C, the formula delivers major brightening and anti-aging benefits. Plus, it feels weightless on skin.
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum
One of the most affordable serums on the market, this formula includes vitamins C and E, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid offering you the most brightness for your buck.
Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum
This lightweight, natural serum delivers vitamin C derived from cherries, sinks in fast, and even smells like its namesake fruit.
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C Serum
What Does A Vitamin C Serum Do
Lets be real: if youre still wondering, What is a serum?, itll be hard to know whether one will be a worthwhile addition to your routine. So, first things first, we need to clear up what a serum actually is. Serums are lightweight products that are formulated with a high concentration of potent ingredients. Based on that description, you can see why serums have become so popular. When you really want to target a specific complexion concern, and your favorite moisturizer and cleanser combo arent quite getting the job done, you can use a serum thats specifically formulated to address your biggest skin issues.
As for what a vitamin C serum is, youve probably already put two and two together and realized a vitamin C serum is simply an ultra-light gel or lotion thats formulated with vitamin C. What does vitamin C serum do? These serums are typically used for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Vitamin C serum benefits often include leaving skin with a brighter, more radiant appearance. They can also result in a reduction of the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation for a more even skin tone. Keep in mind, however, that benefits will most certainly vary from serum to serum, so youll need to do your due diligence when picking a formula.
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Why Use Vitamin C Serum
Now that you know some of the benefits of vitamin C, why should you seek this skin science out in a serum? We believe in todays world, we need all the nutrient help we can get. Especially if were talking about the health of your skin.
Beauty isnt just skin deep Weve all heard the saying before. In this case, its true. We could all benefit from striving to live a healthy life that includes diet, exercise, and skincare free of any nasties. Using a vitamin C serum penetrates the skin on a deeper level, giving all the positives of this vitamin directly to the skin instead of waiting to see results from the inside out.
Serums add essential beauty perks in both daily and nightly regimens, with ingredients geared towards giving deeper solutions to individual skin concerns. Use a vitamin C serum after you cleanse your face before using regular moisturizer or sunscreen. It adds that extra layer of active ingredients you want to see work effectively.
What Effects Does Niacinamide Ascorbate Have On The Skin
Currently, the research that has been conducted on the dermatological effects of niacinamide ascorbate suggests that it is safe to use and still works to brighten the skin. Research has also shown that this complex is easily reversed and separated.
This is because niacinamide ascorbate forms most easily at a pH of 3.8. Although the surface of our skin is acidic, the pH becomes less and less acidic as you move to each deeper layer eventually reaching a neutral pH of 7. So, as niacinamide ascorbate penetrates the skin, the weak bond holding niacinamide and L-ascorbic acid together breaks and youre left with niacinamide and L-ascorbic acid again.
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Heres How To Combine Salicylic Acid + Vitamin C
Although salicylic acid and vitamin C can provide your skin with amazing benefits, they need to be used the right way for you to be able to experience them. There are a few different ways that you can do this.
USE THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES
One of the easiest ways to begin to incorporate salicylic acid and vitamin C into your skin care routine is by applying them at different times of the day. This is the recommended application method for anyone starting out with either ingredient and especially those with more sensitive skin.
Vitamin C tends to be at its most beneficial when applied in the morning so that it can also provide its sun-protective benefits. Our Glow Factor 10% vitamin C serum is a useful product here, as it can help guard against all kinds of environmental stressors.
Its generally recommended to wait until your vitamin C serum absorbs before using other products like sunscreens or moisturizers.
Then, in the evening, you can use your salicylic acid product. Serums and toners can work, or you can use a cleanser that contains the ingredient.
Our Papaya Enzyme Cleanser contains not only salicylic acid but also papaya enzymes for even more exfoliation and skin brightening potential. Its also pH balanced for use by all skin types. Our Clarifying Pads are another great option, too they contain salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids to keep breakouts at bay.
USE THEM ON DIFFERENT DAYS
APPLY THEM TOGETHER
The Ordinary Guide To Vitamin C
Topical Vitamin C offers a wide array of benefits to the skin. However, many forms of Vitamin C and many more formulations of Vitamin C are available commercially with a potential to confuse the audience.The guide offers guidance on the formulations of Vitamin C offered under The Ordinary range. It also offers education on Vitamin C itself and on the differences between formulations of Vitamin C at large.The Ordinary’s portfolio of Vitamin C formulations is listed below.Tap product name to view product details.
* Note: Our brands NIOD andHylamide offerELAN andC25 respectively, which are solutions of Ethylated Ascorbic Acid . EAA offers as high a potency as direct L-Ascorbic Acid with minimal stinging and extremely high stability even in a solution format. The cost of EAA, however, is nearly 30 times the cost of pure L-Ascorbic Acid.
Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing.
General Vitamin C Guidance
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