EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VITAMIN C
You may have noticed an influx of Vitamin C-based skincare products flooding the market. It's no coincidence! Clinical studies in the last 5 years have shown that Vitamin C in its many forms is "one of the most powerful and abundant antioxidants in the skin" and that topical Vitamin C has been "shown to protect against photoaging, ultraviolet-induced immunosuppression, and photocarcinogenesis." This means that (when applied to the skin) Vitamin C can protect against and reduce the effects of sun damage and skin cancer.
Vitamin C also:
- has an anti-aging effect by increasing collagen synthesis, stabilizing collagen fibers, and decreasing collagen degradation.
- decreases melanin formation, thereby reducing pigmentation.
- is the primary replenisher of vitamin E and works synergistically with vitamin E in the protection against oxidative damage.
That is a lot of benefits from just one vitamin! It's a no-brainer to want to use Vitamin C to protect and enhance your skin, but the trick to using it correctly (and effectively) is knowing what kind, how much, and when to use it.
Here are our top 3 tips for reaping the benefits of Vitamin C:
THE RIGHT TYPE OF VITAMIN C
Look for the following ingredients when searching for the right Vitamin C product for you:
L-ascorbic acid (the most studied, often paired with ferulic acid for stability and effectiveness), ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (the most stable and easily absorbed). These are all common forms of Vitamin C used in topical applications and are the most effective. Bonus: the addition of vitamin E and ferulic acid to a formula increases the effectiveness of Vitamin C eight-fold!
HOW MUCH
When seeking the right concentration of Vitamin C in a formula, look for about 10-20%. Less than 8% means there's not enough to be effective, and more than 20% does not increase biological significance and can actually cause irritation.
Try: Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum
WHEN TO APPLY
The body does not make its own Vitamin C, so we need to supplement it on a daily basis. To ensure there is enough Vitamin C on your skin to adequately protect you from photodamage, be sure to reapply every 8 hours–that's an easy morning and evening regimen. Allow a two-hour buffer before sun exposure to minimize irritation for sensitive skin, and to allow the cream or serum to be fully absorbed. Be careful to only apply to skin as the brightening effect can bleach hair as well.
Try: Juice Beauty Stem-Cellular™ Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer
Ready to try some Vitamin C?
SOURCES:
Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
Vitamin C in Dermatology
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/