Benefits of Vitamin C in your Skincare

A valuable vitamin in our diet (ever wondered what causes scurvy?), Vitamin C is also exceptionally good in our skincare. It has multiple benefits which are particularly useful in summer when we see more hours of sunshine each day. What to expect? Radiant, smooth, glowy skin.

What are the benefits of Vitamin C?

Protects against environmental stressors

Vitamin C assists in neutralizing free radicals caused by UV light. These free radicals, if left unchecked, can cause damage to skin cells that leads to premature aging and sun induced pigmentation. The antioxidant activity of Vitamin C protects against this UV-induced damage and also helps prevent pigmentation from forming. Not only is it good before sun exposure, but after as well! Clinical trials show it increases cell survival following UV exposure (Michels, 2011). Important to note that Vitamin C is not a replacement for sunscreen and should be used in conjunction. 

Brightens skin

Vitamin C is known for its glowifying and skin-brightening effect. It is considered an excellent depigmentation agent because it inhibits the action of the enzyme tyrosinase, thereby decreasing melanin production (the stuff that causes dark skin patches) (Al-Niaimi & Chiang, 2017). It also reduces redness and the chance of pigmentation occurring after scarring such as from blemishes.

Promotes collagen production

Collagen is responsible for keeping our skin plump, line-free, and generally more youthful. Clinical trials on Vitamin C show it has an anti-aging effect by increasing collagen synthesis, stabilizing collagen fibers, and decreasing collagen degradation (Al-Niaimi & Chiang, 2017). 

Reduces appearance of wrinkles

In research (Michels, 2011), the use of Vit C in topical applications for at least 12 weeks has been shown to decrease the appearance of wrinkles as well as decrease apparent roughness of skin. Smooth sailing!

How to get your daily dose of Vitamin C in Skincare

The Vitamin C Potent Antioxidant Oil

Our Vitamin C Potent Antioxidant Oil is a light-yet-luxe face oil that contains 30% Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Vitamin C derivative), Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E to keep skin juicy, bright and hydrated, and Boswellia Extract to calm and soothe skin. It’s oil-soluble, which means it penetrates skin faster than any other form of Vitamin C out there, is more easily absorbed and therefore more product reaches where it needs to go.

We’ve added Vitamin E as when C+E are combined, they are more effective in preventing adverse effects of sunlight on the skin than either vitamin alone (Quevedo et al., 2000).

The Essentials Vitamin C Ultra Serum

This gentle Vitamin C Serum is silky-soft and containis a trio of easily tolerated Vitamin C derivatives, as well as peptides to even out skin tone and Grapeseed and Centella extracts for a healthy, vibrant glow.

Shop the Essentials Vitamin C Ultra Serum

How can I incorporate Vitamin C into my skincare routine?

Because of its antioxidant and sun-protection properties it’s best to apply Vit C in the morning, this will help protect against all those environmental stressors we face during the day. There is no harm in applying at night as well, depending on your preferred routine. The Vitamin C Potent Antioxidant Oil is lightweight and easily absorbed so we recommend applying before your moisturiser and after any hydrating serums.

Vitamin C pairs well with:

Sunscreen, firstly! As Vitamin C assists in neutralizing free radicals caused by UV light, pair this with the protective power of sunscreen and you’ve got yourself a double sun-protection win.

Vitamin C and Retinol also make a good pair - but separately! Vitamin C during the day, and retinol at night is a great routine if your skin care goal is both a bright and even skin tone and to fight the signs of aging. You can use the Vitamin C at night with Retinol, however some skin might find this too irritating, so adapt accordingly.

So slip, slop, slap and C!

References 

  Al-Niaimi, F. & Chiang, N. Y. Z. (2017). Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 10(7), 14–17.

  Burke, K. E. (2018). Mechanisms of aging and development—A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 172, 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2017.12.003

Michels, A.J. (2011). Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin C and Skin Health. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C 

  QUEVEDO JR, HOLSTEIN, T. J., DYCKMAN, J., MCDONALD, C. J., & ISAACSON, E. L. (2000). Inhibition of UVR‐Induced Tanning and Immunosuppression by Topical Applications of Vitamins C and E to the Skin of Hairless (hr/hr) Mice 1. Pigment Cell Research, 13(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0749.2000.130207.x