Ingredients, Skin Solutions
Vitamin c serum for the face
Have you been noticing dark spots on your face especially when you spend more time outside or post acne?
If you answered yes, keep reading because in this post I’m going to share the solution to this problem.
Vitamin C serums are a great addition to your skincare routine especially if you have hyperpigmentation.
With that being said, vitamin C serums have other benefits for the skin, from promoting collagen (i.e keep the skin elastic thus reducing wrinkles) to boosting sunscreen and protecting the skin from external aggressors.
Benefits of Vitamin C For The Skin
Let’s dig deeper into vitamin C benefits for the skin and why you should use it.
- First and foremost vitamin C is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants protect the skin from aggressors. These aggressors, named free radicals, accelerates the process of aging and are responsible for a lot of other “bad stuff” in the body, for example they’ve been associated with cancer.
When it comes to the skin free radicals are formed as a consequence of certain behaviors like cigarette smoking. Sunlight and pollution are 2 other causes for free radicals.
This means that free radicals affect us all and it’s impossible to completely avoid them.
The good news is that antioxidants like vitamin C are able to neutralize free radicals and minimize their negative effects. - Besides being a skin protectant, Vitamin C is also a brightening ingredient. But here’s the catch: to lighten the skin vitamin C needs to be at high concentrations, at least 10%.
🚨 Beware
You might see products that bear a bold "with Vitamin C " statement, BUT when we look at the actual ingredients we see that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is at the end of the list. Conversely a quality product that really works for pigmentation will always have vitamin C within the first ingredients as its percentage must be 10% or more.
- Vitamin C is a cofactor in collagen production.
Collagen is the protein that keeps the skin elastic, and also maintain joints, tendons, and bones healthy.
As we age we start to deplete more collagen than we make- this is why we see sagging skin and wrinkles.
While vitamin C doesn’t replenish collagen ALONE, its deficiency may impair collagen production.
This is why it’s important to make sure we provide the skin with enough collagen.
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Vitamin C is a sunscreen boosting ingredient. Being an anti-oxidant, it works together with spf in protecting the skin from the damaging UV rays.
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Vitamin C for skin: serums vs oral supplements
A question I get asked all the time is whether it’s better to take vitamin C supplements or using skincare serums with vitamin C.
I do both and here’s why
- The most external layers of the skin are made up of dead cells with no blood vessels. This means the nutrients and vitamins cannot reach these districts. But the same layers are also those that suffer directly from sunlight and where the dark spots appear! Therefore the best way to get rid of hyperpigmentation is using skincare products with vitamin c.
- Collagen production is important not only for the skin but also for organs, joints, hair, and tendons. If we want to encourage collagen production in these areas too, a vitamin C supplement is probably a good idea.
This is the one I take (disclosure: if you buy the product below I receive a small commission from Amazon).
How to use vitamin C skincare products
Use vitamin C in the morning on clean skin.
Is it better to use a vitamin C as a serum or cream?
If you want the skin brightening effect, a serum is the best option as moisturizers usually don’t contain enough vitamin C for that kind of purpose.
Conversely if you just want the antioxidant & anti-aging benefits you can find those in a moisturizer as well.
When in doubt, pick a serum.
Can I use Vitamin C with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid?
You can and you should.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and so niacinamide. Combining the two like in our vitamin c serum is the best way to max out benefits of both ingredients.
Additionally niacinamide is also a brightening ingredient so again association with vitamin C for the same purpose is allowed AND encouraged.
How about hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C work amazingly well together because they both promote collagen production within the skin.
While vitamin C is directly involved in collagen synthesis, hyaluronic acid works to inhibit its degradation by IL-1
Vitamin C & Retinol: can you use them together?
Yes, vitamin C and retinol are both excellent antioxidants so it makes perfect sense to use them together.
Our retinol serum has been developed to work in a synergic way with our vitamin C serum.
Thanks to this association, skin texture and wrinkles will improve even more.
While vitamin C can be used any time of the day (I prefer to use it in the morning), you should use retinol at night.
Vitamin C serum & Sensitive skin
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) needs to be formulated in an acid environment to work.
This is why vitamin C serums for the face are formulated at very low pH levels (around 3.5).
This acidity can irritate sensitive skin especially around the eye area.
This DOES NOT HAPPEN all the time with all skins. So if you have never experienced it, don’t worry !
I apply everything I want on my skin and never experience any kind of irritation or redness.
However, if you do happen to have super sensitive skin , here’s what to do.
Use a vitamin C derivate like sodium ascorbyl phosphate that’s much more gentle than ascorbic acid. It’s more stable too.
Anti-aging
Can I use Vitamin C in the eye area?
Absolutely.
Unless your sensitive skin doesn’t allow it (read paragraph above).
Vitamin C is a vital ingredient for the eye area because it brightens dark circles and prevents wrinkles.
How often should you use a vitamin C serum for the face?
As with all other skincare products, vitamin C needs a CONSISTENT use to show benefits.
The more you use the better it is. Best is when used every morning.
Remember the gold rule of skincare: less products but more effective ones.
How much vitamin C serum should you use?
You must use enough product to be able to cover your face AND your neck.
I also apply my vitamin C serum on décolleté too.
Remember to also apply sunscreen on top of everything as it prevents formation of new discolorations and wrinkles.
Conclusion
A vitamin C serum is a must ingredient for an anti-aging skincare routine that focuses on prevention.
Vitamin C is also a staple brightening ingredient- your ally vs dark spots and post acne marks.
Are you using any vitamin C serums for the face? Leave a comment below and let me know!
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I am currently using your hyaluronic serum, retinol and moisturizer at night. Should I include niacinamide in there somewhere or how and where should I layer it with your other products?
Hi Kenneth,
unless you have discolorations, redness or want to boost the anti-aging effect, you don’t need it.
This the Best article on skin , I have ever read. It is so clearly described with why and how to take care of discolored skin .
Great Job Luisa 👍😊
Hey Timmy, thank you! I appreciate you!
Thanks for this article, Luisa! I’m given skin care products from my sister in law. When that stops, I’m on your team. I am anyway, and I hope I can copy your article and text it!
Thank you for reading, Maria. I appreciate!
That’s awesome, thank you!!
Is Alpha Arbutin good for hyperpigmentation? Have been using since long but didn’t find any improvement.
Try with Vitamin C!
Try other ingredients, for example vitamin C and niacinamide together like in the serum.