What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C otherwise known as ascorbic acid is one of the most potent antioxidants that occurs naturally in the skin. It helps the body to produce collagen, the protein that promotes skin elasticity and neutralizes free radicals (toxins) in the body.
While you can ingest vitamin C naturally from foods like citrus fruits, potatoes, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussel sprouts, our body can’t store or synthesize vitamin C, so it's difficult to know how much is actually making its way to our skin. This is where topical vitamin C comes in. The best way to ensure this powerful antioxidant is making its way to the skin is to directly apply it!!
So what are the benefits..?
Topical Vitamin C can help to…
- Defend the skin against UV light (but should always be used in combination with SPF).
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Minimize dark spots.
- Protect and increase the production of collagen.
- Protect against environmental pollutants and other free radicals.
How do I find a good Vitamin C?
Not all vitamin C serums are created equally, so it's important to know what to look for, in order for you to reap the maximum benefits. Components like- type and concentration, ingredient list, and even what type of container or dispenser can make or break the overall effectiveness of the serum on your skin. What we recommend when choosing a serum:
- Check the label - the formula is important! Vitamin C can be a tricky molecule to get into the skin and needs to be formulated at the right pH and concentration to have its intended effect. Unfortunately, many products that tout it's vitamin C are not actually having any effect! That is why we only carry products that are clinically proven to be effective in our office. We suggest looking for the purest form of vitamin C, specifically in the form of L-ascorbic acid, and those with a low pH. We also suggest looking at ingredients - while vitamin C can be highly effective on its own, research suggests that it can be enhanced in the presence of other antioxidants such as ferulic acid, phloretin, and vitamin E.
- Check the packaging - An L-ascorbic acid serum must be protected from exposure to air and light to maintain its potency. When looking for a serum, look for a product that comes in an opaque, dark glass bottle with a medicine dropper to help minimize degradation.
Popular Vitamin C Serums offered at Dermetics:
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
- SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
- Vivier CE Peptides
- Vivier Kine-C
Ready to amp up your skincare routine with vitamin C? Shop our products here. Want to know more about antioxidant serums and how to incorporate them into your everyday routine, book a skincare consultation with us today!
