From fighting infections in the body to brightening the skin, vitamin C is a hero in the world of wellness. Editor Trudi Brewer shares some of latest innovations championing ascorbic acid.
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Known in beauty circles as a hero ingredient, once applied to the skin, vitamin C helps reduce inflammation, and brown spots it protects against free radical damage and boosts the skin natural collagen production. What's not to love about a vitamin that can do all that. Here's the latest beauty breakthrough.
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, $159.
The idea of applying topical vitamin C each day is to help your skin’s natural defence against our harsh environment. Dermalogica has managed to create a stable form of vitamin C, (which is tricky to achieve, as this is one vitamin that breaks down when exposed to light), using a biotechnology process to deliver an ingredient called K3 Vita C. This helps deliver a potent shot of vitamin C to the skin that over time will help to brighten, firm and smooth the look ageing skin. As well as the K3 Vita C, this serum contains palmitoyl tripeptide-5, (protein from sugar) and lactic acid to speed up your skin cell turn over, further helping to encourage a clear complexion. There are also some soothing botanical ingredients in this serum such as Sophora Japonica flower extract and chia seed oil. Use morning and night under your regular moisturiser and you can expect to see a brighter, clearer complexion within the first month.
Our vitamin C stars
Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C, $130 comes in a kit of four 10ml vials and is designed to be mixed in with your usual moisturiser both morning and night. Livon Lyo-Spheric Vitamin C 30s, $55, absorbs in seconds and should be taken daily with a small amount of water. Clinicians Hi-Dose Vit C Powder, $33, mixed with water will give your body and skin a healing boost. For lightening up the look dark circles under the eyes is helped with pure, stable vitamin C La Roche-Posay Redermic C Eyes, $45. Also hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid and glucose, it is ideal for those with sensitive skin.
What does vitamin C do for the skin?
It's a powerful antioxidant that protects against pollution known as free radicals that are racing around in our environment This anti-inflammatory action helps slows the ageing process, keeping skin looking younger, longer.
Who should use vitamin C skin products?
Any skin type can benefit from a topically applied, daily dose of vitamin C to help strengthen and maintain a healthy-looking complexion. For erasing the look of sun damage, adding a vitamin C serum to your skincare routine from your early 20s is a preventative, and corrective step to slow those first signs of ageing.
What about your body?
Health experts believe low doses of vitamin C from 65 to 90 milligrams, with no more than 2,000 mg a day taken daily in the form of nutritious foods and or supplements, protects the body from free radical damage, fights infection and ward off illness. Small, regular doses protect against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems and eye disease. The latest new research is showing promising results treating intensive care patients for the sepsis or toxic shock.