Vitamin C – it may appear to be one of the “newer” hot topics as far as skin care, but in reality, its not so “new”! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has fantastic benefits for your body and your skin. We know that and vitamin C as a nutrient has been popular for a long time for nourishment and its role as an antioxidant. Well, the same awesome vitamin C has fantastic benefits for not just your insides, but your skin too! So while it is encouraged to eat lots of foods rich in vitamin C, unfortunately, not all of the vitamin C you consume will go to your skin. So the best way to ensure your skin is getting benefits of vitamin C is to directly apply it – give your skin its own daily dose!
Let’s take dive into some of the benefits of vitamin C for your skin, choosing the right kind and how to use it.
Benefits
There are many benefits for using vitamin C in your skincare routine, but here, we will just hit on a few! Vitamin C helps brighten your skin. It is a known antioxidant, which means it helps fight against damaging stressors (free radicals) – both inside and outside the body. When using it for your skin, it offers protection from pollutants, daily stressors and sun damage that can be caused by free radicals. While vitamin C is not a sunscreen, it does help fight the UV-induce sun damage. It also helps fight hyperpigmentation or discoloration from other environmental stressors which is often caused increased melanin production (1).
Vitamin C also aids in collagen production in the skin by playing a role in the regulation of collagen synthesis as well as increasing collagen protein synthesis (2). Collagen is known for helping fight against wrinkles and signs of aging and its production decreases over time. As vitamin C aids in collagen production, it is helping combat signs of aging. Vitamin C can also be anti-inflammatory for the skin which can lead to redness reduction, potentially promoting overall more even skin tone. Also in the anti-inflammatory role of vitamin C, it may also help fight against acne.
Importance of Stability
Vitamin C can be somewhat unstable, therefore, the stability and type of vitamin C you use on your skin is an important factor. Exposure to heat, air and/or light can slowly start to degrade the vitamin C serum (2) and therefore lose it potency and effectiveness quickly. The most pure form of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is the most unstable.
In the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum, a blend of two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C was used for a supercharged 10% potency. This includes 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate which is an antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin. And it also includes 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate which is a second form of vitamin C, this ingredient moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (3).
How to Use
As mentioned above, for many people, vitamin C can be safe to use on the skin and in conjunction with other skincare products. Beautycounter recommends using the All Bright C Serum as a Treat step with any regimen. In the morning, use it after cleansing, toning, your regimen’s regular serum then apply the All Bright C Serum on top (3). Follow it up with moisturizer and you are good to go for the day!
Ready to really boost your skincare routine? The Bright Side Duo includes two of Beautycounter’s best-selling, brightness-boosting treatments: the All Bright C Serum works by day to instantly enhance skin’s radiance and help reduce the appearance of dark spots, and the Overnight Resurfacing Peel works all night to reveal improved skin texture and clarity by morning - it’s the ultimate glow duo!
It is kind of wild to think one great antioxidant can provide so many great benefits! Many benefits all in one bottle – which makes it super convenient! To add to all of the greatness of vitamin C, one of the best things about it is that it is generally considered safe for most people to use!
Wishing you happy, healthy & vibrant skin!
Sources:
Doyle, Annie Walton. “11 Reasons to Use a Vitamin C Serum.” Edited by Alan Carter, Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-c-serum-benefits.
Michels, Alexander J. “Vitamin C and Skin Health.” Edited by Zoe Diana Draelos, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University , 2 Jan. 2020, https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C
Beautycounter. “All Bright C Serum: the science behind our supercharged vitamin C serum”. Beautycounter. 4 April 2020. Web. 30 July 2020.