Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a natural ingredient found in specific plants, mainly fruits and vegetables. It functions as a powerful antioxidant with lots of benefits for the skin. It is a commonly used ingredient in many natural skincare products. Getting the benefits of vitamin C through our digestive system is different from applying it directly to the skin. By digesting it, we only get a small fraction of the benefits. The more you know about Vitamin C and its different types and usages, the easier it will be to get its multiple benefits by applying it as a serum on the skin as well. Let’s dive in and see what this golden serum can do for our skin.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
Hydration
Healthy skin is hydrated skin. Vitamin C allows the skin to retain its moisture by reducing transepidermal water loss. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which is one of the main ingredients of Vitamin C, is responsible for this process. With that being said, vitamin C serum reduces the rate of the water evaporating from the skin.
Stimulates Collagen Synthesis
As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C increases collagen production which is a naturally produced protein. Collagen is responsible for younger and smoother skin. With time collagen production is reduced and thus leads to wrinkles. As such it is beneficial to use something to help boost the collagen in the skin, such as a vitamin C serum.
Helps Against Sun Damage
Vitamin C serum cannot, and should not, replace sunscreen. However, Vitamin C serum amplifies your protection from the damaging effects of sun exposure by adding it to your daily sunscreen routine.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation
Discoloration/ hyperpigmentation reveals itself in the form of sunspots, age spots, and melasma. It often happens when melanin pigment is overproduced in specific areas of the skin. Melanin is a natural skin pigment and special skin cells called melanocytes produce it. Using topical Vitamin C serum helps reduce these dark spots by working as a brightening agent without changing the normal skin pigmentation.
Vitamin C serum has numerous benefits for the skin.
Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels
Types of Vitamin C
Vitamin C serum is widely used in many natural skincare products and is available in many different forms. For vitamin C to produce the optimum efficacy, it has to be formulated correctly. In other words, the skin convertes the Vitamin C serum into an active Vitamin C once applied to the skin. This process is highly effective depending on the type of Vitamin C serum being applied. By having an idea about the different types of Vitamin C, it will be easier to choose the right one that suits your skin’s needs.
Pure Vitamin C (l- Ascorbic Acid)
Pure vitamin C is also known as L- ascorbic acid. The benefits of this type of vitamin C is neutralizing the free radicals and reducing the signs of skin damage. Free radicals cause chemical changes in a cell, thus leading to its deterioration. Pure vitamin C is water- soluble and penetrates the skin only if formulated with low ph levels.
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Another derivative of Vitamin C serum is Ascorbyl Palmitate. It is fat-soluble, and available in a cream consistency that is rare to find in any Vitamin C formula. It protects the skin from free radicals, stimulates collagen production, and reduces hyperpigmentation.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Tetrahexyldecyl is considered to be one of the strongest antioxidant supplement formations. Unlike pure vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl is fat-soluble, and can penetrate deeper into the skin. It does its work differently than the water-soluble pure vitamin C. It has better affinity with our skin due to its fatty component that pairs well with vitamin E that is natural within our skin. Thus, it neutralizes free radicals that would otherwise damage our skin and further enhances collagen production.
Vitamin C With Bioflavonoids
Vitamin C with flavonoids is a strong antioxidant. Bioflavonoids slow down Vitamin C’s decomposition process. It is a strong antioxidant that helps absorb and enhance the benefits of other antioxidants. This combination protects the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and elastin. When both combine, they help brighten the skin and treat certain skin inflammation and puffiness.
Add a Vitamin C Serum to Your Next Shopping Cart
It is noteworthy to mention here that for a Vitamin C serum to be effective, you need to check the pH balance of the ingredient in it. Anything 3.5 or lower is acceptable to keep the Vitamin C stable and in its active form to be effective and offer optimal results. Choosing the right Vitamin C serum doesn’t end by applying it; proper storage is essential as well to get your desired results. Exposure to light can reduce its properties and efficacy. Above all, by aiming for more natural skincare products of Vitamin C serums, you guarantee that you are getting good results without exposing your skin to additives and toxins.
