Welcome to Ingredient Focus, a series dedicated to delving deep into the ingredients used in skincare. Get to know the ingredient before committing to it! Today, we’re discussing vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that helps to fade pigmentation.
When I first got into skincare and discovered that there were products formulated with vitamin C, I was weirded out. I associated vitamin C with syrups and gummies that mom told me to eat because it’ll help protect against sickness, so I couldn’t imagine applying vitamin C on my skin! But of course, that was just my initial reaction. After hearing about the wonders of this ingredient, I jumped right in and never looked back since.
So, what is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is naturally present in the dermis and epidermis and exists to keep the skin healthy. However, as we age, vitamin C levels in our skin start to decline (much like collagen and overall skin vitality). That’s why it’s very crucial to not only take your vitamin C supplements, but incorporate a vitamin C serum into your routine as well!
What’s to love about vitamin C?
Vitamin C is one of the most well-researched ingredients in literature. Its pure form, called L-ascorbic acid, has been proven to effectively penetrate the skin barrier and increase vitamin C levels within the skin. It has loads of good effects, which I am very excited to share with you!
Fade pigmentation and brighten the complexion
Vitamin C is most renowned for its ability to fade pigmentation, from acne scars to sun spots. It does so by inhibiting tyrosinase, which is an enzyme involved in the production of pigment in our skin. Depending on the exact product that you use, reduction in pigmentation and a brighter complexion can be observed in as little as two weeks!
Anti-aging
Each day, our skin is exposed to dust, radiation, and smoke, giving rise to free radicals that destroy proteins, lipids, and DNA. The result? Fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull complexion! Luckily for us, vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that limits the damage caused by free radicals. What’s more, vitamin C encourages the production of collagen, keeping the skin firm and youthful.
UV protection
Surprise, surprise! Vitamin C can even help increase the effectiveness of your sunscreen. When used with vitamin E (and other antioxidants like green tea), it offers even better protection against the sun’s UV rays and free radical damage.
The bottom line
Vitamin C is not just for acne scars and sun spots. It’s actually a powerful anti-aging ingredient as well! It combats free radical damage while boosting the production of collagen, keeping the skin bouncy and free from fine lines and wrinkles. So if you’re looking to even out and brighten your complexion, or combat signs of aging, then it’s time to add some vitamin C into your routine.
Up next…You’re finally game to apply vitamin C into your skin, but which one to choose?