The brightening effects of vitamin c
The superior brightening agent that works to fade brown spots, improve pigmentation, tackle fine lines, uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines and acne scars - Vitamin C is a supercharged all-round ingredient essential for your skincare arsenal.
WHAT IS VITAMIN C?
As one of skincare’s most potent active ingredients, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant (quick science note, antioxidants protects the skin from free radical damage created by external aggressors such as UV exposure and pollution) and as result that strengthens the integrity of the skin. As well as being incredibly vital in supporting collagen and elastin production (protein fibres that give the skin its plumpness) Vitamin C contains properties that prevents melanin production to keeps skin discolouration and hyperpigmentation at bay.
If there was ever an ingredient that benefited all skincare routines - Vitamin C would be the one.
VITAMIN C - AS AN ANTIOXIDANT
As a master antioxidant, Vitamin C neutralizes free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules that are responsible for the breaking down of your skin’s collagen, producing premature fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin. Vitamin C comes in as a saviour to neutralize these free radicals in the skin and prevents the damage that they can cause. Also found in a dietary and supplement form, Vitamin C whether ingested or applied topically in your skincare routine helps to keep the skin and body healthy.
(It’s not to say that your SPF can be substituted with Vitamin C, the two work together to protect the health of the skin).
VITAMIN C - AS A BRIGHTENING AGENT
We so often hear of the incredible properties that Vitamin C has in brightening and evening the complexion and that is because it contains magnesium phosphate ascorbyl which through research, has been proven to stop and minimise the production of tyrosinase - the ingredient that is involved in the production of melanin and results in hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C therefore does some supportive work to stop pigmentation forming and does this without changing the skin’s colour, creating an even complexion as a result.
VITAMIN C & AGEING
Vital proteins within the skin’s structure, collagen, is essential in providing elasticity, plumpness and visible health to our skin - without it, the complexion can appear dull, sagging and increase the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. One way to reduce and reverse the signs of premature ageing is increasing collagen production in the skin, and Vitamin C regulates this process. Helping to repair damaged skin, incorporating Vitamin C into your routine helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst enhancing skin’s volume.
LABEL REFERENCING
A quick note to say that Vitamin C can present itself in different ways on product labels, with different forms Vitamin C can also be identified as L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbic palmitate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. The most stabilised and therefore potent form is L-ascorbic acid.
IN YOUR ROUTINE
The points to look out for if incorporating Vitamin C into your routine;
In order for Vitamin C to be effective, looking for concentration ranges between 10%-20% is important for noting a difference on the skin.
Vitamin C is suitable for all skin types but if you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, patch testing is a great idea.
It can be incorporated into both your morning and evening routine and followed up by your moisturiser.
Vitamin C can be complemented with other ingredients in your skincare routine such as conditioning ingredients like Vitamin E and Niacinamide.
Although Vitamin C is often housed in dark bottles, it should be kept out of direct sunlight to minimise degradation which reduces its usefulness.
Vitamin C is an essential part of any skincare arsenal with incredible benefits that range across skin healing in terms of its antioxidant levels as well as its support in minimising the appearance of hyperpigmentation. If you want to brighten, even, protect and strengthen the tensity of the skin, Vitamin C is your powerhouse ingredient.