What Does Vitamin C Serum Do For Your Skin
Vitamin C serums are acidic, which means they slough away dead cells from the skins surface leaving it brighter and smoother. This in turn speeds up new cell regeneration, says Susie Wang, cofounder of 100% PURE. Vitamin C is highly acidic and very bitter, so when applied to the skin, the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin, Wang told HuffPost. Collagen is the protein fibers that make skin plump and prevent sagging elastin are also protein fibers that help skin bounce back.
Vitamin Cs anti-aging, damage-repairing and UV-protecting powers make it a Holy Grail ingredient.
– Sarah Lee, cofounder of Glow Recipe
One of Vitamin Cs biggest uses is for reducing scars, spots and other hyperpigmentation, says dermatologist Melanie Palm. Vitamin C is a well-known brightening agent, as it interferes with abnormal pigmentation through tyrosinase inhibition of the melanin pigment pathway. What does that mean in laymans terms? It is used topically to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation, Palm says.
How To Use Vitamin C Serum The Right Way
This post has affiliate links. At no cost to you, we earn a commision for puchases made through links in this post. Read more
Vitamin C serum is an age-old beauty secret, and if youre adept at skincare, youve heard of it.
Its highly acclaimed as an effective anti-aging ingredient and a great aid in keeping your skin smooth, even, and glowing.
The question is, since youre probably getting vitamin C from your diet anyway, why use a vitamin C serum?
A serum is the best way to ensure that vitamin C goes to your skin, thereby reaping the benefits in the most direct way. Otherwise, without using serums and other topical products, theres no way to guarantee that.
In this article, we discuss, among other things, the following:
- How to use a vitamin C skin serum
- Vitamin C treatment regimen
- Should you use vitamin C serum with retinol or hyaluronic acid
- Benefits of using a vitamin C serum
Incorporate A Serum In A Whole
Get ready for your close-up and take an inventory before you embark on a unique beauty challenge. Since we know our skin is affected by what we put in and on our bodies, try some new habits for six weeks and see what a difference it can make for you. Be sure to take some before and after pics to see if you notice an improvement.
When it comes to eating, what goes in should be good for the skin. Start thinking of staples that youll include regularly during this time like leafy greens, beans, gelatin, and an almost obnoxious amount of fruits, nuts, and veggies. The amino acids in beans aid in collagen synthesis. The zinc and copper found in cashews can also do the same. Bell peppers, certain fruits, and other foods that are high in vitamin C, can also assist when it comes to collagen, as well as supporting other important facets of overall health. If this sounds like utter torture, and you know you wont follow through, then maybe you can try something like a collagen supplement. Even making a few changes can make a difference.
And last but not least, during this month and a half make-over, dont forget what goes on your face! Make sure you are using your serum as part of your skincare routine. If you find its all working for you, then consider keeping it up.
Keep Reading: Enriched Water Based Moisturizer
For over 60 years,Viviane Woodard,, and for skin care tips, product discounts and more.
Recommended Reading: What Vitamin Is For The Skin
Do Use: All The Antioxidants
@shutthekaleup
Vitamin C is not the only antioxidant that will serve your skin well in the sun. “I love using products that contain antioxidants like niacinamide or matcha when going out in the sun,” says Yoon, “like the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum and Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream to help give your skin that boost of brightening benefits.”
Eating antioxidant-rich foods in addition to using them topically totally helps, too.“Consume tomato juice and green tea!” says Gronich. “These two food items naturally fight free radicals and are known to increase your bodyâs natural SPF factor.” Colorful fruits and veggies like blackberries and spinach will also provide protection, as will eggplant, which will stimulate your immune system to fight side effects of UV exposure from the inside, adds Fedotova.
Relieve Dry Eye And Discomfort
Approximately 1 out of 7 older adults suffer from symptoms of dry eye due to reduced tear production or tears evaporating too quickly .
Since hyaluronic acid is excellent at retaining moisture, its often used to treat dry eye.
Eye drops containing 0.20.4% hyaluronic acid have been shown to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve eye health (
39 ).
While applying them directly to the eyes has been shown to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health, it is unclear whether oral supplements have the same effects.
To date, no studies have examined the effects of hyaluronic acid supplements on dry eye, but it may be a future area of research.
Summary
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the eyes and often an ingredient in eye drops to relieve dry eye symptoms. Its unknown whether supplementing with it would have the same effects.
You May Like: What Is Fish Oil Vitamins Used For
What Are The Benefits Of Using Retinol
Retinol supports our bodys cellular turnover .
How is this beneficial?
It rids old, dead skin cells, which cause the skin to look dull, and replaces them with new, healthy cells, reinvigorating the skin and making it appear radiant.
Remember, our skin cells go through a lot with the pollution and dirt they face every day, which makes the skin dry, flaky, dull, and generally undesirable and prescribed retin A or non-prescription retinol can help.
Being Opaque Can Be A Good Thing
We always talk about transparency being best, and when it comes to our businesses and institutions, were probably right, but when were speaking about packaging how to store your Vitamin C serum, opaque is where its at. An opaque bottle helps keep out the light much better than a clear one.
Also, depending on the size of the bottle in which your serum arrived, you may be able to split it into a couple separate containers in order to prolong the life of the product. Keep the unused portion in an opaque bottle in the fridge, for sure. The one that youre using can be stored in the refrigerator as well, or another cool, dark place thats more accessible. You can also opt to order your serum in smaller containers in the first place, but if you purchased more than you can put on your face in the next several weeks, then its a great idea to divvy it up and save some for later.
See Related: How to Make Your Own Moisturizing Spray
Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Does A Woman Over 50 Need
Can You Eat A Few Oranges And Get The Same Benefits As A Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C actually is the super ingredient it claims to be, though you might need skip the juice section and instead head to the beauty department to score its benefits. While ingesting Vitamin C is a great way to get your daily dose, applying Vitamin C topically through a skincare regimen allows the powerful antioxidant to perform its skin-brightening, hyperpigmentation-correcting and skin tone-evening benefits, says Sarah Lee, cofounder of Glow Recipe. Vitamin Cs anti-aging, damage-repairing and UV-protecting powers make it a Holy Grail ingredient, but it takes time and consistent application to see the best results.
Start With A Clean Canvas
It seems obvious, but it never hurts to have a reminder that your beauty products can perform much better if applied to a clean surface. So, before you begin smoothing on your serum, youll want to wash your face first. In addition, if you use toner, youll want to get that in there as well. Once youve completed those steps, you can break out your bottle of vitamin C serum and get going on your yellow brick road to youthful beauty.
Recommended Reading: How To Tell If You Have A Vitamin Deficiency
Make Sure To Store Your Vitamin C Products Correctly
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. So these products should be stored in opaque containers that are either air-restrictive or air-tight, she says, like an airless pump rather than a tub or dropper bottle that requires being opened all the way.
Luckily, many vitamin C products already come in opaque containers for this exact reason, Dr. Lamb says.
Vitamin C And Retinol At Night 30 Minutes Apart
If you must use retinol and L-ascorbic acid at the same time, separate them by 30 minutes. Apply your vitamin C first, since it has the lower pH of the two. Then, wait half an hour before you apply your retinol.
Incorporating the waiting period allows your skin’s pH to return to normal, so each ingredient can work at its intended pH.
Also Check: What Vitamins Are Good For Acne Prone Skin
Everything You Need To Know About Incorporating Vitamin C Into Your Skincare Routine
If youve been part of the MECCA community for a while, youll know that when it comes to serving upskincare truths, we leave no stone unturned. The last time we answered your biggest beauty questions, the demand for straightforward, simplifiedinformation about vitamin Cone of our all-time favourite glow-inducing activeswasreal, so we reached out to our Instagram community once again, in search of the most commonquestions surrounding the hyped-up antioxidant. Our DMs blew upbig timeand now, were givinganswers.
Use Your Vitamin C Products At The Right Point In Your Skin
The right moment to use your product depends on what kind of product it is, Dr. Hogan explains. For serums, you want to apply your vitamin C product to freshly cleansed skin, but before you moisturize. But antioxidant-containing moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and youd want to use those at the end of your routine.
Also Check: What Is The Best Vitamin C On The Market
Benefits Of Using A Vitamin C Serum
Here are the benefits of using vitamin C:
- Hydrating: Manganese ascorbyl phosphate, a precursor of vitamin C, hydrates the skin, helping it to maintain its moisture by reducing trans epidermal water loss .
- Brightening: Using vitamin C can help reduce pigmentation and dullness, resulting in a youthful glow.
- Evens skin tone: Vitamin C is known to treat several inflammatory conditions, including redness, leading to an even skin complexion.
- Fades hyperpigmentation: Sometimes, excess melanin is produced in certain skin areas, resulting in dark spots, such as sunspots and melisma. Applying vitamin C in these areas hinders melanin production, removing dark spots much like hydroquinone.
- Promotes collagen production: Over time, collagen depletes, causing fine lines and wrinkles to develop. Vitamin C bolsters collagen production.
- Can help reduce under-eye circles: It plumps and hydrates the area under the eyes, smoothing out the discoloration causing the circles.
- Helps prevent skin sagging: Collagen is tied to skin elasticity and firmness, and when its levels drop, the result is the skin sagging. But when you apply vitamin C serum, it helps boost collagen production, causing overall tightening.
- Protects against sun damage: Because vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, it acts as a barrier against the damaging effect of free radicals.
- Helps soothe sunburns: Vitamin C promotes cellular turnover, enabling the damaged sunburn cells to be replaced with new healthy ones.
The Benefits And How To Use Vitamin C In The Day
Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there. That means it really comes into its own during the day when it can get to work protecting skin against harmful elements like pollution, free radicals, UV rays, and other factors that can leave skin looking dull and lifeless.
If you are using your vitamin C serum during the day, it should always be followed with a minimum of SPF30 to help protect it against the sun. However, if your skin is super sensitive and prone to irritation, you may want to switch it up. You could either use a gentle antioxidant during the day and switch to using vitamin C at nighttime instead. Or, you could opt for a lower strength vitamin C serum which is less likely to cause any sensitivity or reaction.
Don’t Miss: What Kind Of Vitamins Should I Take Daily
Does Vitamin C Brighten Skin
Yes, it can help with dullness as well as pigmentation because it blocks the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for accelerating melanin production, and left unchecked, it leads to dark spots. Vitamin C also breaks down over-pigmented cells on the skin’s surface, helping skin to look brighter, which it does without altering normal skin pigmentation.
Is It Better For Your Skin To Apply Vitamin C Serum In The Morning Or At Night
Skincare science is an active area of research, which means that there are a lot of competing opinions about the best way to nourish and provide for different skin types. Often, conflicting opinions both have what looks like strong evidence behind them. That can make it hard to make the right choices for your skin, like when to apply vitamin C serum.
The Case For Vitamin C at Night
The long-term effects of vitamin C serum and the necessity of a regular skincare routine lead many people to apply at night. The reasons are usually complex, and they often involve the number of products in ones morning routine. The thought tends to be that applying the serum at night, when there are less moisturizers and cosmetics on the face, means getting superior absorption and use.
The Case for Vitamin C in the Morning
More advanced advice about maintaining a vitamin C serum routine with natural skincare products recommends application in the mornings for a variety of reasons:
- Vitamin C has photoprotective properties
- The immediate effect on skin helps beautify your face in the mornings
- Application before morning moisturizer only takes a few moments
- Moisturizer application is needed after a vitamin C routine anyway
What Are the Benefits of Using a Vitamin C Serum?
Does Vitamin C Serum Work for Any Skin Type?
How Do I Store Vitamin C Serum?
Recommendations from Timeless Skin Care
For more information about Timeless Skin Cares vitamin C products, contact the company.
Recommended Reading: How Are Vitamin D Supplements Made
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
This brand has a legion of fans and for good reason. Their no-nonsense formulas are slide easily into your routine and this 15% stabilised vitamin C is formulated at a skin-friendly pH of 3.0, so is good for sensitive skin types. It also boasts potent antioxidants such as vitamin E and ferulic acid as well as skin-smoothing peptides.
Vitamin C And Retinol On Alternate Nights
Most dermatologists believe that retinol should always be applied at night, away from UV light. But did you know that you can apply vitamin C at night, too? This study found that DNA damage continues for hours after exposure to UV light, and suggests it could be prevented with a nightly antioxidant, like vitamin C.
You May Like: Where Can I Buy Vitamin C Capsules
How Do I Apply This Vitamin C Serum
In the morning, use dropper to place 4 to 5 drops in the palm of your cleansed hand. Then with your fingertips tap gently using back and forth movements to a clean, dry face. Smooth and spread with upward movements from inside of face to its contours. Avoid the eye area, lips, and nostrils. Let it sit for a few moments, then apply your usual moisturizer. For face only. Use once daily. Wash hands after use. Follow with a sun protection of at least SPF 15 before sun exposure. We recommend LiftActiv Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30, Capital Soleil Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50, or Aqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer.
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.
Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Should A 60 Year Old Woman Take
Are Vitamin C Serums And Concentrates The Same Thing
Onto our next topic: vitamin C serums versus vitamin C concentrates. Whether you consider yourself well-versed in the world of skin care or are just barely starting to curate a routine, theres a solid chance you arent sure what a concentrate is. It can get slightly confusing because the terms vitamin C serum and vitamin C concentrate are often used interchangeably. Its similar to how the terms ampoules, essences, and emulsions are sometimes used to mean the same thing.
The reason you may see a single product referred to as both a concentrate and a serum is that concentrates are a type of serum. The truth is, there really isnt much of a difference! Its up to you whether you want to refer to your lightweight, highly-concentrated product of choice as a serum or a concentrate. Either way, youre giving your skin a real treat!
