An ingredient oft-celebrated for its goodness and miraculous effects is vitamin C. But what is the truth behind all the hype over this wonder compound? Read on to find out.

Vitamin C (or Ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that is required by the body to maintain its everyday bodily processes. Its deficiency can cause bleeding of gums, frequent bruising, slower healing, lowered immunity, and anemia.

Here are a few other ways vitamin C helps your body stay healthy:

-       Boosts immunity

-       Promotes tissue growth and regeneration

-       Involved in various enzymatic processes of the body

-       Has strong antioxidant property that prevents free radical damage to cells and tissues

-       Good for hair growth and health

 

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN C IN SKINCARE 

Vitamin C consumed through food as well as when used topically with skincare products is extremely beneficial for the skin.  That is why we have decided to incorporate it in the formulas of our Brighting Cleanser & Anti-Tech Serum. 

 

Promotes Collagen Production 

Collagen is the protein that is the building block of your skin and is also responsible for its elastic nature. As you age, collagen production slows down, leading to wrinkles and fine lines.

Vitamin C protects the collagen fibers from damage (especially UV damage) and also enhances collagen production in the skin. The result is taut, elastic, and youthful skin with fewer wrinkles and fine lines.

 

Strong Antioxidant Properties

Free radicals are believed to be the major cause of cell aging. Vitamin C has strong antioxidant properties - it oxidizes the free radicals, thereby neutralizing them and preventing damage to the cells and tissues.

 

Protects against UV damage

UV rays harm your skin through free radical damage and by breaking collagen fibers. Vitamin C fights against the free radical damage and helps protect and regenerate the collagen fibers, thereby preventing signs of premature aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and crow' feet from appearing.

 

Fights Hyperpigmentation 

Vitamin C decreases melanin production in areas of the skin that are darker (more pigmented) than others, and is helpful in fading dark spots, sun spots, blemishes, and other forms of hyperpigmentation in the skin. In this way, it provides you an even skin tone and improves your complexion.

 

Anti-aging properties 

Vitamin C promotes collagen growth and protects your skin against free radical and UV damage, and keeps your skin soft, smooth, and youthful.

 

Promotes Wound Healing and Diminishes Scars 

If you are worried that a wound or scar is marring your beauty, then worry not, because ascorbic acid is here to the rescue. With its regenerative properties, Vitamin C ensures swift healing and minimal residual scarring of your skin.

  

HOW TO INTEGRATE VITAMIN C INTO YOUR DIET AND SKINCARE REGIME?

 Vitamin C is an essential component of your diet. Foods rich in ascorbic acid include:

-       Citrus fruits

-       Tomatoes

-       Strawberries

-       Chilli peppers and bell peppers

-       Broccoli

Vitamin C supplements are also available in the market. Since vitamin C is water-soluble and excess amounts are passed out in the urine, these supplements can be consumed without fear of overdosage or side effects.

 

Integrating Vitamin C in Your Skincare Regime 

A number of skincare products are available in the market that promise the goodness of vitamin C as their active ingredient. A few common types are:

-       Serums

-       Masks

-       Facial creams

-       Body lotions etc

Of these, Vitamin C serums are the most commonly used, and arguably the best formulation, since serums are lightweight and promote easy and deep absorption of the active ingredient.

Vitamin C serums should be applied after cleansing (so as to allow proper absorption), but before applying moisturizer (as it would hinder the absorption of Vitamin C).

 

What concentration of Vitamin C should you use?

 The concentration of Vitamin C in your skincare products should be between 10-20%. Any less, and it may not have the desired effect, while increased concentrations may cause irritation without offering any improvement over lesser concentrations.

 

Can Vitamin C Harm My Skin? 

Vitamin C is mildly acidic in nature, so make sure not to use it simultaneously with other acidic ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid, as doing so can disturb the pH balance of your skin and cause irritation. Using formulations with higher concentrations of vitamin C can also lead to skin irritation.

 

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring compound that is part of our regular diets. In recent years, research has shown us its massive and diverse benefits to the skin, and Vitamin C has become a common ingredient of many anti-aging formulations. It is a key ingredient if you are aiming for a soft, glowing, youthful, and blemish-free skin.