Along with sunscreen and retinol, vitamin C is one of the three most important ingredients you'll hear us rave about. At this time of the year, it's an essential supplement to boost your immune system and a potent antioxidant when applied to your skin.
Here is everything you need to know about vitamin C and why it should be part of your everyday skincare routine—if it's not already, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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We are not the only vitamin C fans; we are addicted to its glow-giving benefits. First, it protects your skin from external aggressors and boosts brightness, and here's the kicker - it increases your natural collagen production. Skin experts are also hooked on this clever vitamin. Dermatologist Dr Joanna Gach says vitamin C reduces inflammation and improves your complexion. It peels the epidermis's superficial layers, giving the skin a fresher and brighter look and strengthening the collagen fibres." While it’s essential for skin protection, this super-antioxidant will rapidly degenerate when exposed to oxygen. Gach says that to get the best from this ingredient, look for specific types of vitamin C on product labels. “L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid is more stable than others and will maintain its strength longer," says Gach.
When should vitamin C be applied?
It can be used morning and night. However, most skin care experts recommend applying it in the morning after cleansing and before sunscreen. That way, your skin will benefit from the antioxidant properties and boost the SPF’s efficacy. Order of application is essential. Vitamin C serums work best when used immediately after a toner. First, place a small amount on your fingertips, massage together to warm the formula, and gently apply it to the skin. Allow it to sink in for a few minutes, and then use a moisturiser and top it off with sunscreen.
Which ingredients work well with vitamin C?
Certain ingredients thrive in each other's company, and others can be thrown off balance or negate their efficacy. However, vitamin C works well with many ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin E, and azelaic acid. However, be cautious if you are using retinol and vitamin C together. While this is a brilliant brightening combination, use the vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
What can vitamin C-infused skincare do for your complexion?
A powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage caused by the sun, pollution, smoking, and stress. While it helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation - that's not all. Vitamin C is a wrinkle-fighting skincare ingredient, thanks to its ability to boost the body's collagen production, which depletes as we age, helping to firm the skin over time. A vitamin C serum should be used within three months after opening or by the expiration date specified on the bottle. Keep your active skincare out of direct sunlight to minimise exposure to air and moisture. Also, ensure you secure the lid well after each use to minimise light exposure.
tailor Gold Dust, $65.
Recently refined, this gold-like dust has the consistency of icing sugar and is a pure blend of vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 (COQ10).
Both are potent antioxidants, but COQ10 is produced by our bodies and found in every cell, unlike vitamin C. Together, they help fight damaging particles in the body known as free radicals while playing a role in collagen synthesis and helping to fade hyperpigmentation. To use: Mix a pinch of the powder with serums or creams and then apply to the face, neck, and décolletage - for us, it’s as precious as that shiny metal we covet.
With its combination of skin-brightening vitamin C and the exfoliating properties of glycolic acid to boost absorption, this Murad serum works fast to immediately improve skin texture and tone. The lightweight formula leaves skin hydrated without any sticky residue, making it a pleasure to incorporate this serum into a morning skincare regime.
You can rely on La Roche-Posay to formulate effective products at affordable prices. Case in point with this lightweight, non-sticky serum that is packed with pure vitamin C alongside hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to help brighten and restore dull, pigmented skin. Finally, it’s suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types.
Clear Skincare has created a skincare line to complement the pigment-removal laser and other cosmetic treatments. This brightening vitamin C complex serum blends ascorbyl glucoside, a derivative of L-ascorbic acid, and arbutin, another powerhouse antioxidant that helps fade dark spots and correct skin tone. Together, this stable formula helps battle the appearance of pigmentation.
SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. AFTERGLOW BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C CREAM, $111.
The antioxidants in this cream are whipped into a custard-like formula that is addictive. It is stacked with an oil-soluble vitamin C, ergothioneine (extracted from oyster mushrooms), and an amino acid to help stabilise the vitamin C. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and the potent carotenoid lutein hydrate and further boost collagen and elastin production to smooth the look of fine lines. This divine cream is more than just a brightening moisturiser.
And what it can do for your skin.