The most common way to get vitamin C in a skin-care routine is in a serum. “Your vitamin C serum should be colorless or a light straw color,” Dr. Hogan says. If you feel that you are not getting results with vitamin C or you are having adverse effects to any vitamin C serums, see your doctor. Vitamin C applied to the skin can encourage new collagen to grow. What Does Vitamin C Do For Your Skin. Vitamin C is found at high levels in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) as well as the dermis (inner layer of skin). Vitamin C serums are acidic, which means they slough away dead cells from the skins surface leaving it brighter and smoother. According to Nourish, most people do not get enough Vitamin C in their everyday diet. Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Subscriber Easy and totally doable skin-care advice, the best beauty product recommendations, and more, straight to your inbox every week. To reduce signs of aging, it is particularly important to use a topical serum so that the vitamin C can reach the skin cells directly. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. So what exactly does vitamin C do for your skin? “When exposed to these factors, it becomes oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which is less stable and less efficacious,” Dr. Hogan explains. But how does vitamin C work in the skin… For people who are vitamin C deficient, taking 1000 milligrams of vitamin C supplements a day. Some of these are more stable than others, meaning they won’t oxidize as quickly, and some of them have different properties that can make them more suited to certain skin types. Experts generally advise using vitamin C products in the morning and retinoids at night. When applied to the skin -- as in some sunscreens -- vitamins C and E don't stop the sun’s UV rays from penetrating the skin, but they do help the skin repair damage caused by sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun or tanning beds is one of the leading causes of skin cell aging and damage over time. Those with dry or sensitive skin probably want to stick with lower concentrations, around 5%, which are less likely to be irritating. Its one of those that your body cant create or store on its own but is essential for numerous functions. All rights reserved. All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. - Vitamin C Serum is easy to use and effective for women of all ages and skin types Vitamin C is one of the most promising, researched-backed ingredients in skincare. Vitamin C also inhibits the production of melanin in your skin, which is what leads to skin discoloration including dark spots, brown spots, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation. a topical serum so that the vitamin C can reach the skin cells directly, A 2017 study published in Translational Biomedicine. In topical skin-care products, vitamin C is sensitive to light and air. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. Follow this up with a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Vitamin C provides a plethora of skin benefits and is a skincare must according to dermatologists. Free radicals might play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. This triggers the skin to heal itself. So, before you start going down the path of finding a vitamin C product for your face, peep these expert tips to get the most out of your vitamin C serum. Account active Vitamin C is one of the most exciting, research-proven ingredients you can apply to skin (1). 9 Things You Need to Know Before Using Vitamin C for Your Skin The right moment to use your product depends on what kind of product it is, Dr. Hogan explains. help lighten dark spots, reduce signs of aging, help with sun damage, minimize redness and inflammation, and help skin heal. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vitamin your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. What’s more, it’s suitable for all skin types. The list of vitamin C skincare benefits are among the most intriguing, from evening out skin tone to diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. After cleansing, apply a topical vitamin C product, in the mornings. This boost in collagen helps firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be safely used with other common topical anti-aging agents such as sunscreens, tretinoin, other antioxidants, and alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid. “If it is oxidized, it becomes yellow or brown and is likely going to be less effective.”. What does Vitamin C do to your skin? You can still use your benzoyl peroxide products, just not in the same part of your routine as the vitamin C. Try using vitamin C in the morning and benzoyl peroxide in the evenings, or use them on different days. But those with more oily skin or with more extensive pigmentation issues to tackle can handle higher concentrations. If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. However, not all vitamin C products are created equal—and they can be irritating and finicky to use in some cases, Angela Lamb, M.D., director of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, tells SELF. And when used topically, like vitamin C, they can improve the skin's appearance by calming the redness down.". Here's what you need to know about vitamin C and how to use it. Skin can get red and inflamed for many reasons including acne, sun damage, skin conditions like dermatitis, and allergic reactions to certain medications. This extra melanin production can be triggered by several things, including sun damage, pregnancy, taking certain medications, or aging. 10 Benefits of Vitamin C Serum. We talked to experts to find out everything you need to know. It's advisable to do a patch test on your arm first if you have very sensitive skin. Your skin needs the right balance of nutrients to do its main job: a barrier that protects the rest of your body from things outside it. However, as SELF explained previously, the effects begin to plateau after 20%, so there’s usually no need to go higher than that. For serums, you want to apply your vitamin C product to freshly cleansed skin, but before you moisturize. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, vitamin C specifically plays an essential role in maintaining skin’s healthy appearance and neutralizing free radicals. The beloved vitamin we use to help boost our immune system during the cold and flu season can also do wonders for our complexion. Ad Choices, 9 Things You Need to Know Before Using Vitamin C for Your Skin. It’s important to read the label on the product and know what you’re really getting (which isn’t always an easy feat when it comes to over-the-counter products), especially if you have sensitive skin. When applied topically directly to the wound, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, Sobel says. Some of her favorite non-serum ways to get vitamin C include Ole Henriksen the Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser ($30, Sephora), Clinique Fresh Pressed Pure Vitamin C Powder ($31, Ulta), and Revision Vitamin C Lotion 30% ($122, Dermstore). Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm. Vitamin C is a holy-grail ingredient that can be used to treat and prevent a variety of skin concerns. © 2021 Condé Nast. If your inflammation is caused by a skin condition like rosacea or dermatitis, it's advisable to start with a low concentration of around 10% to prevent your skin from becoming more irritated. This powerhouse ingredient is celebrated for its ability to deliver a brighter complexion, even out skin tone and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For something containing these ingredients, look into Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil ($72, Sephora), the Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F ($18, Ulta), or Obagi Clinical Vitamin C Eye Brightener ($60, Sephora). Luckily, many vitamin C products already come in opaque containers for this exact reason, Dr. Lamb says. Get it now on Libro.fm using the button below. Follow the road many a celebrity like Victoria Secret models Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio have taken, and commit to using anti-aging vitamin C serum to help maintain a healthy, youthful complexion long into the future. Sinai Medical Center. So protecting against UV damage with an antioxidant—and, of course, daily SPF—is important. Between brightening dark spots and helping to protect against UV damage, there’s a lot vitamin C can do for your skin. For example, L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate are water-soluble, meaning they’re more likely to show up in products that are lighter and better suited to oilier skin. Vitamin C has many skincare benefits. Here's what vitamin C can do to even out your complexion and help you get clear skin. Vitamin C helps skin heal in several ways: Topical formulations of vitamin C are available as a variety of creams, serums, and transdermal patches and come in different forms. But vitamin C becomes less effective when exposed to light, so it’s important to give it time to absorb into your skin before going outside, SELF explained previously. Over time, those free radicals can damage the skin, leading to premature signs of aging, and increase your risk for skin cancer. It has numerous benefits, including helping with anti-aging and reversing some of the damage done to your skin by radiation from the sun. Vitamin C is anti-inflammatory, and a vitamin C serum can both help clear up acne and reduce the redness associated with it—as well as improve skin texture. Dark spots form due to an overproduction of melanin, a dark pigment, in your skin. To help us explain, we reached out to board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon and Skincare.com expert Dr. Michael Kaminer. "Anti-inflammatories are necessary for treating skin. Today vitamin C serums are popular for reversing uneven skin tone, acne scars, rough texture, fine lines, and general dullness. You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. On top of that, vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. If no side effects occur after 24 hours then you can apply it on your face. 11 Powerful Antiaging Skin-Care Ingredients You Should Know, How to Wash Your Face for Clearer, Healthier Skin. You can still use it if you want, but it won’t do as much for your skin and, “very rarely, oxidized vitamin C products can even cause slight yellow discoloration of the skin,” Dr. Hogan says. Different products may contain a wide variety of concentrations of vitamin C. In general, they range from below 5% all the way up to 30%, Dr. Hogan says, and this ingredient can have different effects at those concentrations. What does Vitamin C do for your skin, and why is it the most searched for ingredient in 2020? Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. And because they can have similar effects on the skin, experts do still advise against using these two ingredients together, Dr. Hogan says. effective at penetrating the skin's barrier. Vitamin C is generally pretty safe and well tolerated, but if you have sensitive skin, it might sting a little bit—especially if you use it in the same part of your routine as exfoliating scrubs or acids. “In general vitamin C products should be applied in the morning before heading out for the day, when UV radiation is at its highest,” Dr. Hogan says. But antioxidant-containing moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and you’d want to use those at the end of your routine. Topical vitamin C has been shown to encourage collagen production, a naturally occurring protein in our body that helps give skin that tight, plump look. It’s no secret that Vitamin C is a skin care superstar. But the type of vitamin C serum you select, as well as how you use and store it, can significantly affect how much you actually get out of it. What does Vitamin C serum do for your skin? Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can benefit all skin types and is one of the best vitamins for your skin. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins to get in your diet on a daily basis. Vitamin C is also vital to your body's healing process.An antioxidant, vitamin C might help protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation. Vitamin C serums are great for anti-aging, because they can boost the production of collagen, which firms up the skin. Check out BeautyBio the Daily Vitamin C Day Serum With Antioxidant Complex ($75, Sephora), Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($33, Ulta), or SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF ($166, Dermstore). A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The best vitamin C skincare products are serums that contain pure ascorbic acid, as it's most effective at penetrating the skin's barrier. Using them in the same part of your routine can cause irritation, Dr. Lamb says, but it’s okay to use them on the same day at different times. Slows signs of aging “Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radical damage from ultraviolet light and pollution,” says Dr. Sonia Batra, a board-certified dermatologist and co-host of The Doctors. What Do I Need to Look For in a Vitamin C Serum? Most vitamin C serums are available in concentrations of 10-20%. Vitamin C also plays an essential role in the formation of collagen, which is a fibrous protein that helps form connective tissue in the skin. Vitamin C can help heal blemishes, reduce hyperpigmentation, and give your skin an out-of-this-world glow. So consider getting rid of any vitamin C products that have dramatically changed color since you bought them. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects skin against damage caused by pollutants and free radicals that can cause cancer and premature signs of aging on the skin. The higher the concentration, the more effective the serum is, but only up to 20%. However, using a combination of both will provide your skin with ample protection against sun damage. with other common topical anti-aging agents, Pregnancy can cause acne but there are safe ways to treat it, The best facial cleanser ingredients for each skin type, according to dermatologists, These are the best, most effective ingredients you should look for in a moisturizer. "Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory, which means it is meant to help reduce skin inflammation and redness," says Howard Sobel, MD a dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. In the past it was thought that you should avoid using vitamin C products with retinoids at all costs. So these products should be stored in opaque containers that are either air-restrictive or air-tight, she says, like an airless pump rather than a tub or dropper bottle that requires being opened all the way. Consistency is key for maximum effect, so add it to your routine in a … “Especially if it is brown, I would say to toss it,” Dr. Lamb says. "Vitamin C works to bind these free radicals, and acts like little Pac-Men taking them out of circulation so that they can't do damage to the skin," says Suzanne Friedler, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor at Mount. This is what causes the skin to lose elasticity, and sag. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. This in turn speeds up new cell regeneration, says Susie Wang, cofounder of 100% PURE . Swipe to advance Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. It has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, prevent and repair sun damage, improve skin appearance, and boost collagen production. And that is still sort of true. While skin aging is inevitable, daily use of vitamin C can help boost collagen production and slow down the aging process. If you have dry, mature skin, Dr. Hogan recommends looking for more moisturizing products containing lipid-soluble forms of vitamin C, like ascorbyl palmitate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. But the form of vitamin C that you put on your skin is a complex issue too!The problem with just using straight vitamin C (as it looks in the molecular diagram above) is that it’s quite unstable when you store it exposed to air for too long.Creams often use an inactive form which can be converted to the active form in the skin, such as ascorbyl-6-palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP). Vitamin C is one super vitamin that can work won… The one ingredient you should steer clear of when using vitamin C is benzoyl peroxide, which can oxidize the vitamin C and, therefore, make it less potent, Dr. Hogan says. It is also an anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce redness in the skin. There are different types of vitamin C that you might see pop up in different types of products. While there are plenty of vitamin C-rich foods, when it comes to your skin, applying topical vitamin C serums directly to your skin is the most efficient way to enjoy the benefits. They work best in different skin environments, so using them at the same time may make both less effective. The benefits of vitamin C for skin may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. Antioxidants, like vitamin C, prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals from harmful effects like smoking and the sun. It's important to know that vitamin C serums can't act as a replacement for sunscreen because it does not block and absorb the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Skin appearance, and more, straight to your skin form blood,... Blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones calming the redness down..! New cell regeneration, says Susie Wang, cofounder of 100 % PURE general dullness this in turn speeds new! Improve the skin 's appearance by calming the redness down. `` during the cold flu... 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