Whether you want to simplify or enhance your skincare regimen, a vitamin C serum may be the solution. Topical vitamin C is a multitasking worker that can protect, heal, and improve the appearance of your skin.
However, not all serums are made equal, as with any product. Components like the kind and concentration of vitamin C, the ingredient list, and even the style of container or dispenser may make or break the benefits of your serum — and your skin.
But don't worry, determining which serum to purchase isn't that difficult. We've got the lowdown on C serum advantages, how to choose one (with suggestions), and how to make the most of them.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a beneficial antioxidant, which suggests it prevents or delays the effects of environmental and solar damage on cells. While your daily orange juice is an excellent defence for your body, the best method to get vitamin C's protection and advantages are to apply it straight to your skin.
But there's another reason why you shouldn't simply rub citrus slices on your cheeks. When you do it yourself, you have no control over the quality — and it's not always safe. It's also just inefficient.
That's because we only receive a fraction of the advantages of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, whether we eat, drink, or supplement it. However, pressing vitamin C in serum form after chemically changing allows our skin to absorb more of it more effectively.
All About Vitamin C Serum
Because vitamin C serum is entirely natural, many individuals prefer it to other chemical serums and skincare treatments. Because of the absence of harsh chemicals or other dubious components, there is no need to worry about how your skin may respond.
Consequently, vitamin C serums are designed and infused to be mild enough to be used daily. Many other skincare products on the market cannot compete. If you're wondering when you should use a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. However, research advises utilizing a vitamin C serum every eight hours or twice daily for the best protection.
Vitamin C has photoprotective effects and protects against oxidative stress caused by the free radicals we encounter throughout the day. For example, consider vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals, and even alcohol and over-processed meals. But don't worry if you forget to perform your daily application. Vitamin C, unlike sunscreen, moisturizers, or oils, cannot be wiped or washed away.
Vitamin C's protection and free radical-fighting abilities ultimately wear off, but you may build up a reservoir for sufficient photoprotection. Applying every eight hours will do this. Unfortunately, UV radiation also reduces the skin's vitamin C levels. A study revealed that topical vitamin C is better administered after UV radiation exposure rather than before.
Benefits of Using Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is known as a very effective anti-ageing substance available and essential to keeping a smooth, even, and glowing complexion. Although you are most likely receiving vitamin C through your food, there is no way to ensure that it is reaching your skin. So the most direct method to enjoy these advantages that we're going to share is to use serums and other topical treatments.
1. Increases the Production of Collagen
Face impurities are the misery of every woman's life. However, rather than succumbing to the ravages of ageing, frequent usage of vitamin C supplements may fight their very appearance due to their concentrated amounts of antioxidant-rich vitamin C.
Also, this helps increase collagen synthesis, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. Consequently, you may find that you have more youthful-looking skin without the need for any costly and possibly dangerous cosmetic procedures!
2. Acts As a Film for Sun Protection
Aside from anti-ageing effects, topical vitamin C is excellent for protecting your skin from harm, particularly from UVA/UVB rays emitted by the sun. Because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it naturally strengthens your skin and repels substances that might harm it. Of course, you should not use topical vitamin C in place of sunscreen, but when used in conjunction with frequent sunscreen application, it may do wonders for your skin.
3. Reduces Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Vitamin C has also been proven to help level out skin tone and decrease dark circles around the eyes. This benefit is ideal for individuals who are wary of concealing dark bags under their eyes and wish to seem more young, bright, and energetic. Face masks can also be helpful in these cases.
4. Speeds Up Rejuvenation Process
Abundant amounts of Vitamin C have also been shown in studies to assist speed up the body's natural healing processes. This benefit makes it excellent for usage on the face and other regions of the skin since it may aid in the healing of minor wounds, acne scars, and other blemishes.
5. Significantly Reduces Skin Degeneration
If you have skin redness or other blemishes, a good vitamin C serum may be able to help you attain a more uniform skin tone and a healthier appearance. Vitamin C, in particular, is excellent for decreasing unsightly redness. With only a few applications, you may notice that your skin tone is more even.
6. Makes the Skin More Flawless
No matter your age, being proactive about preventing wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, and other symptoms of ageing is always a brilliant idea. Vitamin C may make your skin appear younger for longer by boosting collagen formation as well as levelling out your skin tone and brightening your complexion.
7. Greatly Helps in Hydration
Vitamin C is essential if you have dry skin. This benefit is particularly true if you've tried moisturizers and creams in the past and discovered that your skin remains dry and flaky. With topical vitamin C solutions, you may get a high concentration of vitamins your body needs to increase moisture content and general hydration.
8. Makes the Skin More Blooming
In addition to enhancing the general appearance of your skin, vitamin C may brighten ordinarily drab skin, making it seem healthier and more vibrant. This vitamin in high quantities leaves the skin looking and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
9. Diminishes Skin Inflammation
It has also been discovered that vitamin C, in high enough quantities, has anti-inflammatory properties. This benefit is excellent for individuals who have unattractive puffiness around the eyes or other regions of the skin/face when they wake up in the morning. A tiny amount of vitamin C serum may go a long way in this situation.
10. Potentially Treats Sunburns
In addition to guarding your skin against UV damage, vitamin C may assist in speeding up the healing of sunburns. Apply some after you've been sunburned. The vitamins will help to encourage quicker recovery, allowing you to get rid of redness and find relief from itching, burning, and other sunburn symptoms.
Vitamin C and Vitamin C Serum Research
Of course, you can obtain vitamin C through foods, such as melons, oranges, pineapple, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, according to MedlinePlus. It is a vital nutrient to consume since it is required for growth and development. In addition, it aids in the formation and repair of bodily tissue and the delivery of antioxidants to reduce the presence of harmful free radicals.
According to research published in the journal Nutrients in August 2017, vitamin C is naturally present in the skin. It helps increase collagen and antioxidant levels and protects the skin from UV-ray-induced photodamage. Isn't it fantastic?
You may be questioning how to get more vitamin C in your diet to get these advantages. Unfortunately, just eating more oranges and cantaloupe will not be enough. To add, this is because the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer, lacks blood arteries that transport nutrients to skin cells.
On the other hand, Vitamin C may be administered topically, which is where vitamin C serums come in. "Vitamin C is well recognized for its ability to neutralize free radicals and enhance ageing skin," says Joel Schlessinger, MD, a dermatologic surgeon and RealSelf writer located in Omaha, Nebraska. "It may also increase collagen and elastin production, which can decrease inflammation, offer natural, gentle exfoliation, and lighten skin."
Topical application has also been found to be beneficial in studies. For example, a 2015 research in Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology discovered that administering vitamin C enhanced the collagen levels of their participants. The benefits were observed by research participants after 40 days of therapy and were much more apparent at the 60-day mark.
In addition, topical application of vitamin C serum can also contribute to melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. According to a January 2013 research published in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology, administering vitamin C to the face resulted in an average 73 per cent improvement in skin pigmentation.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum?
Because vitamin C serum is entirely natural, many individuals prefer it to other chemical serums and skincare treatments. Since there are no harmful chemicals or other dubious components, you don't have to worry about how your skin may respond. Consequently, vitamin C serums are designed and infused to be mild enough to be used daily.
Many other skincare products on the market cannot compete. The ideal method to utilize a topical vitamin C is to apply a little quantity to clean, dry your skin once or twice per day (depending on your skin type). It would help if you used it before applying makeup (allow time for it to dry) but after using your regular face toner (should you choose to use one). Then, continue with your everyday makeup and skincare regimen from there.
Who Should Use a Vitamin C Serum?
According to research published in Nutrients, vitamin C may help protect the skin against various issues, including sunburn, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, and uneven skin tone. Anyone suffering from these skin problems may want to consider including a vitamin C serum in their skincare routine.
Even if these problems haven't arisen yet, it's a good idea to get started. "While it is often marketed as an anti-ageing component, the ideal time to prevent ageing is before it occurs," adds Schlessinger. Saedi advises vitamin C serums for individuals of all ages since almost everyone is susceptible to sun damage.
With vitamin C serums, "we are reducing the amount of solar damage that our skin is receiving from sunlight," she adds. She claims it serves a dual purpose by protecting the skin and aiding in the recovery of damaged areas. "It's preventive in the sense that it protects you from sun damage and ageing indicators like wrinkles," Saedi adds. "It also promotes collagen and increases natural collagen formation."
Expert Advice on Selecting a High-Quality Vitamin C Serum
According to a 2017 research published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, vitamin C may be found in many forms, including L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. However, according to the study's authors, L-ascorbic acid is the most studied and physiologically active.
The cost of these serums may range from approximately $10 to $250 for one ounce. So how do you make your decision? First, monitor the vitamin C concentration levels (usually referred to as L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid on the label, Schlessinger says).
Some people may have 10%, while others may have 15% or 20%. Look for one with a concentration of more than 8%. Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology proved that the minimal level is proven to be physiologically meaningful.
According to research published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal in April-June 2013, the greater the concentration, the stronger the serum, but the effects dropdown at 20%. "Twenty per cent is where it maxes out — you won't get anything more powerful than that," Saedi explains.
When selecting a product, seek one that also includes vitamin E, which, according to the Nutrients study, helps deliver vitamin C more efficiently. In addition, according to research published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, ferulic acid helps preserve vitamin C, making it less prone to irritate the skin.
"When vitamin C and E are combined, they offer powerful antioxidant protection," explains Schlessinger. "When these vitamins act together with ferulic acid, they increase the stability of one another, ensuring optimum benefit."
Try the Best Vitamin C Serum
If you want the most optimal results for your skin, the It's All You C Beauty Set is what we recommend. It has all the necessary vitamins that the body needs for a variety of reasons. Additionally, it is most helpful to the skin, especially around the face.
As a result, many individuals nowadays utilize this for skin care and overall cosmetic wellness, especially when getting concentrated vitamin C serums intended for delicate facial skin.
Vitamin C serum is essentially a liquid with highly concentrated vitamin C. Serums vary from cremes and other vitamin C products in that they contain considerably greater concentrations, allowing individuals to get the most out of the product and experience more visible effects. If you want to try it for yourself, learn more about It's All You C Beauty Set here!
