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Vitamin C is a skincare ingredient that’s in popular demand for a reason. It is used in several skincare products today owing to its collagen-boosting properties and rich antioxidants.
Ask any beauty blogger, they’ll all swear by vitamin C, claiming that your skincare routine is incomplete without it. Vitamin C might seem like a fairly new ingredient in skincare. However, researchers have been discussing the role of vitamin C in improving skin health for almost a century. While vitamin C rich-foods can improve skin health, there’s no proof that it can address skincare concerns such as acne and age spots. On the other hand, topical application of Vitamin C has proved to give excellent results. So, what is this magical product, and how can it protect your skin? Let’s find out.
How does Vitamin C protect the skin?
Vitamin C plays a vital role in promoting skin health. It’s a miracle solution for pesky acne issues and protects the skin against woes like age spots, pigmentation, and more. There are a dizzying number of products available in the market that use Vitamin C. Our advice would be, while choosing a product, pick one with the right concentration to suit your skin sensitivity.
“It’s always best to start with a low concentration of 10% and gradually increase,” says New York City dermatologist Dr Patricia Wexler. Many claims that L-ascorbic acid is the most potent form of vitamin C but it can be harsh on your skin. Consider a product with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble vitamin C as it is less irritating on the skin. Let’s see what are some of the other uses of Vitamin C:
1. Hydration
Vitamin C is believed to enhance skin hydration. According to research, topical application of the products with vitamin C reduces dry, flaky, and rough skin. That said, it’s no surprise that dermatologists suggest using Vitamin C-rich face serum. You’ll find numerous serums in the market. Look for serums rich in vitamin C along with the goodness of other natural ingredients like cucumber and aloe vera. This ensures that the skin looks and feels hydrated.
2. Photoprotection
Vitamin C restricts the damage caused by UV light exposure. While it cannot absorb/scatter UV rays like sunscreen, it protects against free radical damage. It decreases cell damage along with the immunosuppressive effects of UV exposure.
3. Healing wrinkles
Oxidative damage to proteins can lead to major changes in skin structure. It can cause photoaging, as well as intrinsic ageing. Vitamin C is not only an antioxidant but also regulates the synthesis of collagen. In short, it can repair damaged skin.
Application of Vitamin C products for a minimum of 12 weeks has shown to decrease wrinkles and roughness of the skin while reducing protein damage. Moreover, it can also reverse age-related changes between the dermis and the epidermis.
What is acne and how does vitamin C help fight them?
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition caused by blocked pores. While some people only face breakouts, others may also have post-acne scars and damage. Vitamin C can help treat acne as it is an effective antioxidant that helps in neutralizing unstable compounds, thereby improving skin health.
1. Reduces acne inflammation
Studies show that people who use products with vitamin C, experience significant improvements in acne lesions. Vitamin C is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can heal acne lesions. The topical application of products rich in Vitamin C helps reduce the redness and swelling caused by acne.
2. Heals acne scars
The skin needs adequate time to heal after acne breakouts. If it does not heal properly, it could leave dark scars. Although scarring is mostly observed in severe cystic acne cases, sometimes mild breakouts may also cause scarring. Vitamin C treats acne scars by increasing the synthesis of collagen, a protein responsible for rebuilding healthy skin.
Product recommendation
With a multitude of benefits, the market is filled with several options. No matter which brand you choose, make sure you understand your skin type and buy products best suited for you. We recommend you try Mamaearth vitamin C skincare range that includes Vitamin C foaming face wash, face serum, face toner, and face mask. These products are enriched with plant-based ingredients infused with the goodness of nature. In addition, the brand is known for cruelty-free and chemical-free products. You can also try the Drunk Elephant vitamin C skincare range. They have a wide range of products, like face cleansers, toners, scrubs, moisturizers, and serums; and are very popular in the international market.
The bottom line
Our daily routine and skincare habits affect the health of our skin. The application of Vitamin C products is undoubtedly one of the best ways to deal with skin issues that are a result of stress, pollution, weather change and more.
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Great article! Loved to know a little bit more about vitamin C. <3
We always hear so much about Vitamin C, and Vitamin E as well, but to be honest I never know how to use them. Thank you for those helpful tips, I feel like my skin needs some hydration these days and that’s going to be very helpful!