You may have seen all the buzz around incorporating Vitamin C in to your skincare routine, but how exactly can it improve skin health? Vitamin C is a natural ingredient that can have a hugely positive impact on your skin if used in the right way. We're here to tell you all about Vitamin C and the benefits it can provide. Take a look here at what you should know before using Vitamin C serum.
What is Vitamin C and what does it do?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin or antioxidant that is naturally present in a number of natural foods. It can also be added to a number of foods, as a dietary supplement or included in skincare. Vitamin C is an essential part of your health and beauty regime as it has plenty of benefits.
What are the benefits of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the formation of collagen and helps to repair tissue. What does this mean for your skin? Essentially, that Vitamin C will leave you with plump cheeks, a radiant complexion and an even skin tone.
Skin concerns that Vitamin C will help treat
Vitamin C is incredibly helpful at preventing some common skin concerns that you might be experiencing. Vitamin C has been shown to assist in:
- Lightening dark spots
Vitamin C serum can help to fade discolouration and dark spots when applied topically over a period of time. Antipodes Water Cream Diem Vitamin C is a cream with tone-correcting peptides that helps to inhibit pigmentation, age spots, and discolouration. It’s the perfect water cream moisturiser for a glowing, even skin tone.
- Protect against sun damage
The antioxidants that are present in Vitamin C help prevent free radical damage and help defend against UV light damage from the sun. Natio Vitamin C Serum is a fantastic concentrated serum that can be applied in addition to your sunscreen to help prevent sun damage in the harsh Aussie climate.
- Help smooth wrinkles and prevent premature ageing
Vitamin C is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient that has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles if used over a period of time. Research has also shown that individuals who have a diet that is high in natural Vitamin C often have fewer wrinkles and a more youthful appearance. Additionally, Avène A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defence Serum is a serum that boosts radiance and reduces fine lines to help preserve youthful skin.
- Diminish and help fade scars
Vitamin C that is applied topically to scars can help fade out and diminish visible scarring over a period of time. Murad Environmental Shield Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum is a brightening serum that supports healthier-looking skin, can prevent visible skin damage like hyperpigmentation, dullness and uneven tone while assisting in fading any existing scarring or skin damage that you might already have.
- Brighten and firm skin
Vitamin C can assist in brightening and firming your skin for a more youthful appearance. Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum is a serum that delivers a highly-bioavailable Vitamin C complex to the skin around the eyes to dramatically brighten and visibly firm your skin.
Do's and Dont's of Vitamin C
While you might want to include Vitamin C in your skincare routine every day due to the many amazing benefits that it boasts, it’s important that you know when to use it and how.
- When should you use it?
While you can technically use Vitamin C morning or night, it is recommended that for best results, you incorporate it into your morning skincare regime. This is due to its antioxidant benefits and ability to help fight sun damage and free radicals. Putting it on before you head out for the day will provide you with the most benefits as it acts as a shield against the harsh environment and sun. A great way to include Vitamin C in your skincare routine is to pop it on after you’ve washed your face with a purifying cleanser such as Retreatment Botanics Purifying Gel Cleanser and before you’ve moisturised.
- Which ingredients you can and can't use it with?
It’s important to know when you shouldn’t use Vitamin C serum, and especially what you shouldn’t combine it with. Avoid using Vitamin C serums or products with Vitamin C in them when you’re also using skincare products like AHAs and BHAs such as glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids. Why is this combination a no no? Well, this will throw off your PH balance which means, more than likely make the ingredients will be made completely useless.
Retinol should never be used with Vitamin C as they are both active ingredients and they will more than likely cause a significant amount of irritation on your skin. I, unfortunately, had to find this one out for myself. I may have gotten it confused for an allergic reaction *face palm*.
Niacinamide should also be avoided if you are using Vitamin C as used together they can trigger acne breakouts and end up causing more harm than good.
Always be sure to follow your Vitamin C serum with SPF and a good moisturiser before you apply any make-up to provide your skin with the most protection and keep those juicy cheeks hydrated throughout the day.
Including Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine is not only easy, but it is also highly beneficial to your health. It can help to even out your skin tone, reduce fine lines, signs of ageing and dark spots that may have crept up over the years. Vitamin C will also assist to protect your skin from further unnecessary damage. If you’re looking for a great product that contains Vitamin C serum to include in your skincare routine, we can help. Our range of Skincare products containing vitamin C is extensive with every item offering different additional benefits. Shop Vitamin C products at Oz Hair & Beauty today.
