What To Look For In Vitamin C Serums
While you might be tempted to get a dropper of pure vitamin C and douse your face in it, Thornfeldt points out that it could do more harm than good: Theres no place in human skin that cells have receptors only for vitamin C and nothing else. In fact, the skin cells have receptors to metabolize multiple vitamins. If cells are only given vitamin C without the context of all the other vitamins the cells need, then the single antioxidant actually becomes pro-oxidant, creating damage over time.
Instead, look for a water-based serum thats packaged in a dark, oxygen-free environment, like a tinted or lined pump bottle. A formulation with 10-20% vitamin C is optimal for absorption, according to a study in Dermatologic Surgery, the official journal of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Ahead, find expert-vetted vitamin C serums that can transform your skin.
The Power Of Vitamin C
Before digging deeper into the serum itself, it is important to know what all the vitamin does in general. It is an essential vitamin that is found in a number of foods and plants. It is also a key ingredient in repairing damaged tissue and the production of new cells. This is why it is so helpful in boosting your immune system. It helps give you that needed boost in immune cells and increase their ability to fight off cold and flu germs. It also helps repair muscle tissue after a workout and provides reinforcement to other areas of your body.
Because vitamin C is typically consumed, most research was initially focused on studying the vitamin within the body, not outside. So while the vitamin can help repair certain cells, including skin cells, from the inside, a topical solution will help ensure it is absorbed by the specific area. Its similar to caffeine. Caffeine can help improve your complexion, reduce dark circles around your eyes, and tighten up the skin, but youre not going to see this kind of result by drinking a cup of coffee. The amount of coffee youd need to drink for the caffeine to actually improve your skin would likely kill you . So, instead, caffeine is used as an ingredient in a number of beauty products.
And this is where a vitamin C serum comes in. To fully take advantage of vitamin Cs power and make sure your skin receives all the benefits, the vitamin is concentrated down into a topical serum for applying directly to your skin.
How Do I Know If Im Using Too Much
A tell-tale sign of vitamin C overuse is increased blackheads or the development of blackheads.
General skin irritation and breakouts can also occur if you use your vitamin C serum too often.
We recommend using your serum 1-2 times a day and 2-4 drops at a time. This is all that is needed!
If you are unsure where to start and are brand new to using vitamin C serum, a good rule of thumb is to start with 1 application daily and see how your skin responds.
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First Off What Is Vitamin C
As far as your skin is concerned, vitamin C is “a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals,” explains board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, M.D. “Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.”
So, in the same way that consuming antioxidant-rich foods aids your body in fighting off free radicals, topical antioxidants do the same for your skin by helping to offset daily aggressors like UV damage and exposure to air pollution. Quick refresher course on antioxidants: They prevent or reduce damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. In other words, antioxidants help keep our body and our skin cells healthy.
This free-radical-fighting power isn’t just important for helping to keep signs of premature aging at bay. In neutralizing these free radicals, vitamin C may also help protect skin from precancerous changes caused by UV exposure, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure.
Check Out The Ingredients List
When choosing a vitamin C serum, experts recommend that you check out the ingredients list and select one with ingredients that match the needs of your skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for an oil-free product that wont clog pores. If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for a product with hyaluronic acid and make sure it doesnt contain alcohol or fragrance.
SEE: How Does Vitamin C Help Your Skin? Surprising Facts to Know
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Vitamin C For Face And Neck Aging: Best Way To Use It For Anti
Applying vitamin C to your face and neck can reduce the signs of skin aging, improve tone and texture and protect against UV radiation.
However, the type of vitamin C and the way its applied to your face and neck can make a huge difference in your results. Learn how to use vitamin C for your face and neck to prevent and reverse the signs of skin aging.
PLUS: Check out my before & after pictures below!
Where To Find Topical Vitamin C And What To Look For On The Label
Vitamin C can be found in serums or other skincare products. Different formulations of vitamin C can alter its strength and effects in the skin. Consider purchasing vitamin C products from your dermatologists office or a verified online retailer, with a clinical formulation that contains an active form of vitamin C , has a strength of 10% to 20%, and a pH lower than 3.5, as this combination has been studied in clinical trials. This information can be obtained from the manufacturers website under the ingredients section.
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Should You Keep Using Vitamin C If It Changes Colors
In topical skin-care products, vitamin C is sensitive to light and air. When exposed to these factors, it becomes oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which is less stable and less efficacious, Dr. Hogan explains. Your vitamin C serum should be colorless or a light straw color if it oxidizes, it becomes yellow or brown and is likely going to be less effective. You can still use it if you want, but it probably wont do as much for your skin and, very rarely, oxidized vitamin C products can even cause slight yellow discoloration of the skin, particularly if you have fair skin, Dr. Hogan adds. So consider getting rid of any vitamin C products that have dramatically changed in color or smell since you bought them. Especially if it is brown, I would say to toss it, Dr. Lamb says.
If you cant find an expiration date and youre unsure of how long its been in the back of your cabinet, its probably best to get rid of it. Dr. Lamb says you shouldnt use active ingredients a year after they have been opened because theyre just no longer effective at that point. Will it harm your skin to use it? Probably not. But you may notice that a trusty vitamin C serum can be pricey, so taking care of your bottle will also help take care of your wallet.
How Often To Use Vitamin C
For best results, apply vitamin C topically 1-2 times a daymorning and night. Be sure to apply a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF after vitamin C application for daytime. Follow the directions on your products packaging, as instructions may vary from product to product. If you find your skin is sensitive to daily application, try starting with applying a low concentration a few times a week or every other day, then build up use as tolerated.
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What Is Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is one of many vitamins and minerals the body requires to function correctly. Alongside at least 13 other nutrients in the essential category, our body needs the vitamin but cant manufacture it on its own. That means its up to us to provide our bodies with the vitamin C that it needs to work properly, outside and in.
You may see vitamin C listed in multiple ways on skin care product labels, depending on the type and concentration of vitamin C in the serum ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl-6-palmitate being the most common. Although they may be called different names, each of these forms of vitamin C shares one crucial thing in common. While they are powerful antioxidants, they are prone to oxidation when exposed to direct sunlight.
Thats why, when learning how to use vitamin C serum, you should only purchase one sold in a dark-colored bottle.
Vitamin C For Skin: An Exceptional Antioxidant
Vitamin C is also an exceptional antioxidant, Rothouse said, helping to protect the skin from environmental factors that lead to visible signs of skin aging.
Its actually among the strongest naturally occurring antioxidants ever discovered. Antioxidants fight against stressors like free radicals. Free radicals from sources like pollution, environmental impacts and stress age your skin.
Antioxidants neutralize those free radicals to help skin look its best now and in the future. Vitamin C for skin helps strengthen your skins support network. Thats why a vitamin C serum for your face should be part of your daily skin care routine, right alongside cleansing, toning, moisturizing and sunscreen.
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What Age Should You Use Vitamin C Serum
According to Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, the best age for someone to use a serum is from their early twenties.
Also, you definitely want to get used to using your serums before you hit your thirties, so youre not introducing something new into your skincare routine once wrinkles set in.
The earlier you start using vitamin C serum, the better chance you have at keeping your skin looking young for longer.
SEE: Does Vitamin C Serum Help With Acne? The Truth About Vitamin C Serum and Acne
Benefits Of Vitamin C Face Wash For Oily Skin
- Alice Mary Topno
Vitamin C is one of the newest skincare trends that is getting adapted all over the world because of its many advantages for every skin type. It not only improves the texture of your oily skin but is a great skincare ingredient as well. Vitamin C face wash deeply cleanses your oily skin and eliminates excess oil, dirt, and grime from it. Here are the five important benefits of using vitamin C face wash for oily skin:-
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A Better Way To Brighten And Hydrate
Your face deserves carenot chemicals. Dr. Berg Vitamin C Serum with Probiotics is a unique formula that targets signs of aging and promotes a beautiful, even complexion with organic ingredients.
This formula uses gentle, natural moisturizers that penetrate deep into the layers of your skin to hydrate and revitalize. Our carefully-selected probiotics balance your microbiome and fortify your skins natural barrier, helping to protect against pathogens and oxidative stress.
One small dab of this lightweight formula is all you need to promote beautiful skin. It absorbs quickly, allowing you to apply makeup without any oily or sticky residue.
Vitamin C Serum is safe for acne-prone skin and helps naturally diminish marks from past breakouts. Use it day or night to brighten circles around your eyes and feel your best.
Vitamin C Myths Debunked:
Falsehood #1: Vitamin C makes you more sensitive to sun. Actually, the exact opposite is true. It works synergistically with your sunscreen to protect you from free radical damage, which can cause skin sensitivities in excess. Vitamin C boosts the effects of sunscreen, the doctor tells us.
Falsehood #2: You dont need to use vitamin C if youre not going outside. Sorry, but the truth is that were actually exposed to some form of air pollution whether were indoors or outside. Add to that the blue light from the constant screen time and any UV rays that come through the windows, and youll see why its a good idea to stick to your morning routine no matter your plans.
Falsehood #3: For a DIY vitamin C treatment, you can rub lemon juice on your skin. Lemons have vitamin C in them, right? Technically yes, but that doesnt mean its a good idea to rub the juice on your skin. Its not stabilized and can cause mild to severe irritation, cautions Bowe. Ive had patients come in with chemical burns from doing this, she adds.
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Can I Use Vitamin C Serum At Night
Theres certainly no law against using vitamin C products in the evening, but, again, you may get the most benefit from using them in the morning. In general, vitamin C products should be applied in the morning before heading out for the day, when UV radiation is at its highest, Dr. Hogan says. This way, youll be able to reap the benefits of its free-radical-fighting potential.
Ironically, though, vitamin C becomes unstable when exposed to light, so its important to give it time to absorb into your skin before going outside. Just to be safe, give it about five minutes to sink in before you apply your moisturizer and sunscreen and head out the door.
Best For Acne: Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
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Does not work as well for hyperpigmentation or dark spots
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Packaging can leak when shipped
If you have acne, theres a good chance one of the weapons in your cosmetic toolkit is , a cult favorite for zapping zits quickly. If youre looking to add a vitamin C serum into your beauty regimebut worrying about how it will affect your acnewe recommend the Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum, which many users claim actually helps clear up their breakouts and reduces acne scarring on top of all the usual C serum benefits.
Vitamin C can be one of the best weapons against acne, says Michael Somenek, MD, a facial plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. It has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can accelerate wound healing, will also help to reduce the visible signs of acne.
In addition to being an affordable vitamin C serum, this one also boasts sodium hyaluronate and collagen, a concoction of ingredients that will target signs of aging while simultaneously promoting moisture and smoothing your skin. Its free of phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oil.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, collagen, sodium hyaluronate | Usage: Apply three to four drops each morning after cleansing and drying face | Scent: Lavender
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The Ability To Scavenge Free Radicals And Dispose Of Toxic Oxidants
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can neutralise and remove oxidants, such as those found in environmental pollutants and after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This activity appears to be of particular importance in the epidermis, where vitamin C is concentrated in the skin. However, vitamin C is only one player in the antioxidant arsenal that includes enzymatic defences as well as other non-enzymatic defences . Most intervention studies carried out to determine the capacity of antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage to skin have used a cocktail of these compounds . Vitamin C is particularly effective at reducing oxidative damage to the skin when it is used in conjunction with vitamin E . This is in accord with its known function as a regenerator of oxidised vitamin E, thereby effectively recycling this important lipid-soluble radical scavenger and limiting oxidative damage to cell membrane structures .
The central role for vitamin C and other antioxidants pertinent to the skin. The interdependence of vitamins E and C, and glutathione, in the scavenging of free radicals and regeneration of the reduced antioxidants, is shown. Vitamin E is in the lipid fraction of the cell, whereas vitamin C and glutathione are water-soluble and present in the cytosol.
Whats A Vitamin C Serum
If you have your head in the skin care game, youve likely heard of vitamin C serums.
Vitamin C is touted as one of the best ingredients on the market for pro-aging support and the key to maintaining a smooth, even, and glowy complexion.
Although youre probably getting vitamin C in your diet, theres no way to guarantee its going straight to your skin. Using serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap these benefits.
Read on to learn why you should add vitamin C serum to your routine, how to introduce a new product, and more.
Whether its a tried-and-true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics youre curious about, beauty is personal.
Thats why we rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their tips on everything from the way product application varies to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.
There are plenty of benefits to using vitamin C on your skin. For example, vitamin C:
- is safe for most skin types
- provides hydration
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What Does Vitamin C Serum Do
Out of all the serums out there that promise glowing skin, vitamin C serum has been proven to work!
Vitamin C serum for your face contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and redness. This can aid in reducing acne, improving the appearance of acne scars, and reducing hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C also works as a brightening agent and can reduce dark spots without changing the color of your skin.
Sounds awesome, right?
But theres more! Here are some other amazing vitamin C benefits:
- vitamin C serum can soothe sunburns by replacing damaged cells with healthy ones.
- It can also protect your skin against sun damage and cancer-causing free radicals.
- vitamin C serum can boost collagen production and prevent sagging skin.
- It can also reduce under-eye circles.
Overall, using vitamin C serum on your face is a great way to hydrate your skin and maintain a healthy and youthful glow!
