Currently if we have to choose a superstar ingredient which is being used in multiple products and is at its prime is vitamin C. In this post we will be learning about vitamin C, what its uses and benefits are and why you should include a vitamin C in your routine.
According to National Institutes of Health, Vitamin C also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin C endogenously, so it is an essential dietary component.
In skincare vitamin C is one of the most exciting ingredient exciting, research-proven ingredients you can apply to skin. It is an antioxidant which is a natural component which helps with the health of your skin. Antioxidant means halting or holding off the environmental and sun damage which our skin faces on a daily basis. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits like orange, lemon, etc. While these natural sources contain vitamin C it can be foolish to put lemon directly on our face as it contains only certain percentage of Vitamin C while it contains other components which could be sensitizing to our skin and could damage and cause irritation.
Various benefits of Vitamin C:
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
- Evens out the skin tone.
- It helps heal wounds.
- Protects skin against sun damage.
- Helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
- Protects skin against pollution and free radicals.
What are the forms of Vitamin C available?
There are various forms of Vitamin C available in the market out of which L-Ascorbic is the most well researched and it is said to be the most potential form. It is usually formulated at a ph of less than 4 which helps it in keeping the skin firm, fade uneven skin tone and spots. L-Ascorbic acid is also excellent at fighting sun damage and free radicals. The only downfall of this ingredient would be that it tends to oxidize very fast unlike other newer forms of vitamin C like 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle yet stable form of Vitamin C.
In India we do not yet have a lot of the variants which are available in the west so the options are a bit limited.
To those who want to start using Vitamin C keep in mind to store the serum in the fridge as that prevents the serum from getting oxidized because it is highly sensitive to air and light exposure. Another point to keep in mind is that always look for an opaque, dark colored and air tight bottles when you shop for Vitamin C because this will make sure to keep the ingredients intact and according to me you should avoid transparent and plastic jar container products.
How to include the Vitamin C serum in your routine?
It is a serum which can be used both in the morning and evening. It comes after cleansing and before moisturizer. It is an antioxidant so when you use it in the morning and top it off with a sunscreen it is the perfect combination to prevent sun damage. If you are a beginner then start with the lowest concentration as that prevents irritation and gives your skin some time to get used to it. Always patch test before you decide to use it all over your face and neck to prevent irritation.
What serums to not mix with Vitamin C?
Vitamin C and any type of exfoliating serums should not be mixed. Exfoliating ingredients include AHAs, BHAs and PHA. You should also not include Vitamin C and Benzoyl peroxide in the same routine. Vitamin C and retionols should not be used in the same routine. There is a difference of opinion in this but majority do believe that Vitamin C and Niacinaminde should not be mixed together. If you want to use any of these products then use Vitamin C in the morning and the mentioned ingredients in the evening that way you are not causing irritation.
How to use Vitamin C?
After cleansing your face use Vitamin C on damp skin. Take 2-3 drops of the serum and rub it between your palm and then apply it onto your face and neck and once absorbed use your moisturizer and if you use the serum in the morning top it off with your sunscreen.
Product Recommendations:
I have tried three vitamin C serums and I will be listing down the products from my top to least favorite.
1. Minimalist 10% Vitamin C serum: This is the vitamin c serum which suited my acne prone skin the best and it helped fade out the forehead tan. This serum contains 10% ethyl ascorbic acid which is a very stable form of vitamin c and my mom who is in her early 50s uses it every morning and I have seen a good difference in her undereye wrinkles and she has an overall glow to her face. This is the best vitamin c serum currently available in the Indian market and it is also very budget friendly.
2. Suganda 10% Vitamin C serum: This serum contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate which is a stable form of vitamin C and even contains ingredients like ferulic acid which is an amazing add on to a vitamin c serum BUT this serum oxidises very quickly. I also felt like my skin tanned a lot with this serum which was weird and this is an extremely pricey product because you pay 1000 rupees for 20ml of product.
3. St. Botanica 20% Vitamin C serum: This was my first ever vitamin c purchase and I got it from Amazon when it was on a sale. This serum when I purchased if I remember correctly did not mention the kind of Vitamin C they used but right now on checking now I found out that they have reformulated (I am guessing) their formulation and they now use sodium ascorbyl phosphate in their serum. This also costs 999 rupees for 20ml which is expensive and my experience with the old formulation was that I did not see any effects. It also contains fragrance so people with sensitive skin need to be careful while purchasing it.
That was the post about Vitamin C and everything you beginners need to know about the ingredient and what to expect from regular usage. I hope this post was helpful and do subscribe and comment whether you liked the post, your feedback and if you want me to cover any other topic.
Thank you for reading and have a good day and stay safe :)
"The best vit C serum in India should offer high potency and stability. Look for serums with additional antioxidants like vitamin E or ferulic acid to enhance the efficacy of vitamin C, providing brighter, more even-toned skin."
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