Benefits of Vitamin C to Brighten Skin, Reduce Wrinkles and More
The holy grail of skincare, Vitamin C is one of the best anti-aging ingredients. Yes, the humble vitamin C also has many essential benefits for your skin.
Vitamin C is not produced by the body. Instead, the only way to get it is through supplements or diet such as through oranges or grapefruit. It is an essential nutrient of our body and plays a role in tissue repair.
While you can eat your way to vitamin C absorption, your skin will reap the biggest benefit when applied topically such as through a serum. In fact it is about 20 times more potent when applied topically compared to orally.
What are the benefits of Vitamin C in skincare?
Vitamin C is the key to a smooth, even and glowy complexion. It plays a role in so many functions such as hydration, brightening, reducing redness, hyperpigmentation, under eye circles and increasing collagen production.
An antioxidant, vitamin C helps to fight free radicals (toxins) that come in contact with your skin from external sources such as air pollution or from inside the body. Free radicals damage our skin. But vitamin C, when applied topically, can combat free radicals and improve the overall appearance of our skin.
It promotes collagen which can diminish fine lines and wrinkles. So it’s essential for firm, youthful skin with a healthy glow and radiance. Not only that, it’s also known to inhibit melanin production which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone and increase skin radiance. By encouraging healthy cell turnover and regeneration, it aids in repairing damage to our skin from sun exposure.
How to use Vitamin C in skincare?
The best way to apply vitamin C topically is in a serum because serums can effectively penetrate the skin's barrier. Best applied in the morning after cleansing and before your moisturiser and sunscreen. As with all skin care regimes you need patience. Vitamin C takes about 6-8 weeks to show results.
Be careful that you don’t mix vitamin C with retinol or niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) because the pH levels are incompatible. If you want to use both, wait at least 30 minutes between applications. Keep your vitamin C in a dark space and firmly done up because it is prone to oxidise when exposed to light and air. If you notice it change colour or a sour smell, it is likely it has begun breaking down.
Ready to include vitamin C in your skincare regime? Take a look at our Vitamin C Brightening Serum.