How Do You Use Vitamin A
Apply to clean, dry skin before bed time. If your skin can tolerate it, use it every night, otherwise on alternate nights.
Since retinol or vitamin A can increase cell turnover, it works very well with an ingredient that protects and calms the skins barrier. A perfect example is niacinamide. AKA vitamin B3.
What Do Vitamin C Serums Doand How
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, which are generated by our bodies when exposed to certain conditions, including pollution and UV rays. A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is importantif the free radicals inundate the body and prevent its ability to regulate them, oxidative stress can occur. Free radicals can negatively impact DNA, lipids, and proteins cause a variety of diseases damage our cells and disrupt the skins ability to repair itself and slow down collagen production.
Applying antioxidants like vitamin C can help your body cope with this stress so what are the resulting benefits?
Anti-Aging Benefits
Serums with vitamin C also stimulate collagen production, which slows as we age, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and author of the bookSkin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. Collagen is a structural protein that holds cells together, strengthens skin, and gives it elasticityall of which are important for a healthy, toned complexion. By boosting our skins ability to make collagen, a Vitamin C serum helps soften existing fine lines and wrinkleswhile preventing new ones from forming.
Fight Against Hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C serums fight hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme and preventing melanin production, says Rhonda Q. Klein, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. The process brightens dark spots without lightening skin tone overall.
Eat Your Fruits And Vegetables
Its not all about lotions and serums. The vitamin C in food helps promote healthy skin, too. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, kiwis and strawberries are all packed with the stuff.
Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C and Skin Health.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Hyperpigmentation.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications.
Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School: Skin Serum: What it Can and Cant do.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Dietary Nutrient Intakes and Skin-aging Appearance Among Middle-aged American Women.
Cedars-Sinai: Collagen for Your Skin: Healthy or Hype?
Nutrients: The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.
Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School: Finding the Right Serum for Your Skin.
Cleveland Clinic: Understanding the Ingredients in Skin Care Products.
Mayo Clinic: Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide to Younger Looking Skin.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
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What To Look For In A Vitamin C Serum
When choosing a Vitamin C serum, there are a few things to keep in mind. Pick a serum with:
Skin Benefits Of Vitamin C
A few clinical studies have demonstrated that vitamin C can improve wrinkles. One study showed that daily use of a vitamin C formulation for at least three months improved the appearance of fine and coarse wrinkles of the face and neck, as well as improved overall skin texture and appearance.
Vitamin C may also help protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays when used in combination with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Clinical studies have shown that combining vitamin C with other topical ingredients, namely ferulic acid and vitamin E, can diminish redness and help protect the skin from long-term damage caused by harmful sun rays.
Further, vitamin C can reduce the appearance of dark spots by blocking the production of pigment in our skin. In clinical trials, the majority of the participants applying topical vitamin C had improvement in their dark spots with very little irritation or side effects, but more studies are needed to confirm the brightening effects of vitamin C.
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What You Need To Know About Vitamin C Serum Oxidation
You might be gearing up to get your Vitamin C fix ASAP. These serums are great. Really, they are. But, theres one little thing that can get a littleannoying.
And that thing is stability.
Like I said before, L-AA is the most potent type of Vitamin C, but its also the most fragile. Exposing L-AA serums to air, light, and/or heat will speed up the oxidation process, making it unstable and unusable.
The good thing is that you dont have to wonder if your serum is past its prime. Its pretty easy to tell. L-AA is water-soluble. So, when the serum is still good, it should be clear. Completely clear, like water. And, when its bad, itll start turning yellow.
Here are a few tricks you can use to either slow down the oxidation process.
But, what the heck happens when serums go bad anyway?
Well, it loses its potency. So, when you apply the oxidized serum on your face, you wont be getting the maximum antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-pigmentary benefits that you would with a non-oxidized serum.
I dont know about you, but Im not comfortable applying an expired and stinky serum to my face. So when it turns dark yellow, I would throw it out and buy a new serum.
Minimizes Redness And Inflammation
Skin can get red and inflamed for many reasons including acne, sun damage, skin conditions like dermatitis, and allergic reactions to certain medications.
“Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory, which means it is meant to help reduce skin inflammation and redness,” says Howard Sobel, MD a dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
“Anti-inflammatories are necessary for treating skin. And when used topically, like vitamin C, they can improve the skin’s appearance by calming the redness down.”
If your inflammation is caused by a skin condition like rosacea or dermatitis, it’s advisable to start with a low concentration of around 10% to prevent your skin from becoming more irritated.
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Vitamin C Content Of Skin
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, with levels comparable to other body tissues and well above plasma concentrations, suggesting active accumulation from the circulation. Most of the vitamin C in the skin appears to be in intracellular compartments, with concentrations likely to be in the millimolar range . It is transported into cells from the blood vessels present in the dermal layer. Skin vitamin C levels have not often been reported and there is considerable variation in the published levels, with a 10-fold range across a number of independent studies . Levels are similar to that found in numerous other body organs. The variation in reported levels most likely reflects the difficulty in handling skin tissue, which is very resilient to degradation and solubilisation, but may also be due to the location of the skin sample and the age of the donor.
Side Effects Of Vitamin C
Generally, vitamin C is safe for daily use. However, in high concentrations, it can be irritating, especially if mixed with other acids. Herrmann says those with extremely sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate it, and in which case, should avoid it. Many vitamin C products are also oily, which can be problematic for those with oily skin, so Herrmann recommends consulting your board-certified dermatologist to find a brand or product that is best suited for your skin type.
Liz DeSousa for Byrdie
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Add A Vitamin C Serum To Your Skin Care Routine
Adding a Vitamin C serum to your skin care routine is simple. Vitamin C is typically formulated in a fast-absorbing formula, suitable for all skin types that can be used both morning and night. Skin care experts recommend applying 1-2 drops of serum to cleansed and toned skin. Use your fingers to spread a thin layer of serum over your face and neck, then wait for it to completely absorb before applying your favorite facial oil and/or moisturizer.
Watch this video to learn from Natalie about how you can add Vitamin C into your skin care routine: :
The Role Of Vitamin C In Skin
Vitamin C is involved in the formation of the skin barrier and collagen in the dermis and plays a physiological role in the skin against skin oxidation, in antiaging of wrinkles, and in cell signal pathways of cell growth and differentiation, which are related to the occurrence and development of various skin diseases . Vitamin C has a dual role of antioxidation and pro-oxidation, and this role maintains the balance of the two reactions in the body . Ascorbic acid and transition metals, such as Fe2+, produce reactive oxygen species outside of the cell, and high levels of ROS can destroy the antioxidant defense system of cancer cells because the antioxidation system of tumor cells is incomplete and its balance is destroyed . High levels of Vitamin C in the cells lead to oxygen-promoting reactions, which cause DNA damage, the depletion of ATP reserves, and failure of cellular metabolism . Vitamin C is also involved in resistance to UV-induced oxidative stress, inhibition of melanogenesis, and promotion of the differentiation of keratinocytes and has been used for a long time as a clinical treatment reagent. Vitamin C deficiency leads to many systemic diseases in humans and causes scurvy in the worlds navies .
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Use Vitamin C Serums In The Morning
Theres certainly no law against using vitamin C products in the evening, but 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.
But vitamin C becomes less effective when exposed to light, so its important to give it time to absorb into your skin before going outside, SELF explained previously. You dont need to wait a specific amount of timeas long as its absorbed, youre good to go.
Begin Your New Skincare Routine Today
If you look in the mirror and see skin concerns youd like to address on your face, pimple, wrinkle, pigment, or just need a little skin TLC, then we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our skin health experts at The Skin Center By CPS. Everyones skin is a bit different and will respond differently to varying products. We all have those drawers full of products that promised much and delivered little? It can quickly become expensive to constantly test out different products to find just the right one. Instead, let our professional skin health staff at The Skin Center By CPS help guide you.
We will work with you in determining the kind of skin you have and what products you will likely respond best to, including a vitamin C serum . If youre ready to begin seeing improvement, give The Skin Center By CPS a call today.
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When Is The Best Time To Use Vitamin C Serum
The best time to use vitamin C serum is in the morning and at night after a thorough cleansing of your skin and before applying other products. Apply it by lightly dabbing the product onto your face until it absorbs into the skin completely.
Just remember that you will achieve the best results if you apply a moisturizer on top of this serum. Also, ensure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the suns harmful rays during the day.
What Are Vitamin Cs Benefits For Skin
In short: everything. For one, vitamin C promotes collagen production, which has the potential to thicken the dermis, diminish fine lines, and is essential for firm, youthful skin, Wexler says. On top of that, vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.
It also inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone, and enhance skin radiance. Finally, vitamin C helps to repair damage from sun exposure and collagen loss by encouraging healthy cell turnover and regeneration, says Wexler.
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What The Heck Does Vitamin C Serum Do For Your Skin Anyway
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Could your morning glass of OJ give you clearer skin?
These days people are turning to Vitamin C to give their lackluster complexion a juicy glow. promise results for dry skin, oily skin, acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and even dark spots and sun damage. Those are some big promises for small bottles.
Before you head to the grocery store to stock up on orange juice and lemons, we put this trendy skin superfood to dermatologists and skincare experts for their take on the benefits of Vitamin C for your skin.
Myths About Vitamin C And Eyesight
Vitamin C is water-soluble, so your body excretes excess amounts. It is a common myth that the more vitamin C you ingest, the healthier your eyes will be.
This is not true, as the body tightly regulates how much of this nutrient is present. Taking more vitamin C than you need offers no benefit.
It is also possible to experience health issues with excessive amounts of vitamin C. The following issues may occur:
- Diarrhea
- Red and green peppers
- Brussels sprouts
The amount of vitamin C you need daily depends on your sex. The following are the general guidelines for adults:
- Women: 75 mg per day
- Men: 90 mg per day
- Women who are breastfeeding: 120 mg per day
- Pregnant women: 85 mg per day
If you choose to use a supplement, you should still strive to get enough vitamin C via your diet.
A high-quality multivitamin is a good option because it provides you with vitamin C plus other important nutrients. If you choose to take a supplement, talk to your doctor first. They can provide insight regarding dosage and frequency.
If you supplement with vitamin C, do your homework on the supplement brand. One study showed that many vitamins on the market did not actually contain the dose that the label stated. For example, the label may have outlined 500 mg of vitamin C, but the supplement only actually contained 200 mg. Due to the relaxed regulation of the supplement industry, ask your doctor or pharmacist for brand recommendations.
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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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What Does Vitamin C Serum Do
To understand how vitamin C works, you first have to understand free radicals. These natural molecules arent bad on their own, but they can become a problem when they build up. In high numbers, they can break cells down over time, contributing to illness and aging.
Antioxidants help fight free radicals, though, keeping everything in balance. Vitamin C is one such antioxidant. When used on the skin, it can combat signs of aging. It decreases hyperpigmentation, evens out your skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and protects your skin from sun damage.
If youre interested in trying vitamin C serum but arent sure how to pick one, dont worry! We rounded up 10 great options for you.
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Choose The Right Concentration
Identifying the right concentration for your skin type is essential to how effective your topical vitamin C will be, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler. “Begin with a low concentration of 10% and increase to 15% or 20% as tolerated,” she instructs. For oily or normal skin, L-ascorbic acid is the most potent form of vitamin C and can be the most beneficial, while for dry and sensitive skin, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble vitamin C, is less irritating.