Vitamin C.. a much talked about ingredient in skincare. How much do you know about it? Do you know why you should use one? Or what the benefits are? Did you know that there are different forms of Vitamin C? And that some people do well on certain types but not others?
What is Vitamin C in Skincare?
It is a potent antioxidant that has many different benefits for the skin. Overall, incorporating a vitamin C serum or product into your skincare routine can help improve the overall appearance and health of your skin.
Benefits of Vitamin C for the Skin
Benefits of Vitamin C for the skin include:
1. Stimulating collagen production, which helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Brightening the skin and improving skin tone by reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
3. Protecting the skin from environmental stressors/free radicals, such as UV radiation and pollution, which can cause premature aging.
4. Improving overall skin texture and reducing the appearance of blemishes, scars, and pores.
However, some people may experience skin irritation and redness when using vitamin C products, especially at higher concentrations and in certain types/forms of Vitamin C.
Types of Vitamin C
There are different types of vitamin C for the skin:
Ascorbic Acid is one of the most common forms of Vitamin C used in skincare and is also one of the most studied forms of vitamin C.
water soluble
strong antioxidant properties, stimulates collagen production, and brightens the skin.
is pH dependent & is typically at lower pHs to be able to penetrate the skin, which can cause irritation to those with more sensitive skin
less stable & breaks down easily when exposed to light/air/heat (think of how many times you open a vitamin c serum glass container with a dropper & how much air it will be exposed to... I highly recommend you give it the sniff test before you apply it, to determine if it has gone bad or not. Applying a rancid product to your face will just cause irritation/inflammation, which can lead to redness, random breakouts, etc.)
companies are now starting to combine this form with other ingredients in formulas to make it more stable (airless containers, combined with other products, etc.)
3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid (commonly referred to as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid or EA) is a newer form of Ascorbic Acid, offers the same benefits, and is highly stable.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP)
stable & water-soluble form
again, antioxidant properties, stimulates collagens, brightens
less irritating for those with sensitive skin
may help acne prone skin more due to it's antimicrobial properties
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP)
stable & water-soluble form
again, antioxidant properties, stimulates collagens, brightens
helps to reduce inflammation/improves barrier function
more hydrating form
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDA)
highly stable, fat soluble form & penetates the skin more easily because of this
again, antioxidant properties, stimulates collagens, brightens
improves barrier function & is often used in oil-based or lipid based products
Our FAVOURITE Products with Vitamin C
