Vitamin C in Skincare

Vitamin C has become a skincare staple in recent years. Commonly found in the form l-ascorbic acid, topical Vitamin C often appears in a serum formula with the aim to brighten and smooth skin. Due to its status as an antioxidant, Vitamin C has a variety of capabilities for skin including brightening, evening skin tone and smoothing. Read on to learn the benefits of Vitamin C for skin and how it can assist with various skin concerns.

Vitamin C can be formulated as both a principal ingredient or accompanied by other ingredients to harness their combined benefits. In either instance, Vitamin C carries a variety of benefits suitable for all skin types - whether your skin is on the oily side, slightly sensitive or tends to be dry. Here is an overview of the benefits of Vitamin C for skin:

• Firming: Vitamin C plays a supporting role in collagen production which supports the skin’s structure and lends to a firmer appearance.
• Brightening: Vitamin C evens the appearance of dark spots and brightens dull skin.
• Antioxidant: Vitamin C neutralises free radicals – unstable molecules that have the potential to damage skin cells.

To experience the benefits of Vitamin C for yourself, you can incorporate a topical Vitamin C step into your skincare routine. Ideal for Vitamin C beginners and experienced users, our Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum locks in moisture and improves skin texture with 10% l-ascorbic acid - also referred to as Pure Vitamin C. Read our Guide to Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin to learn more about how Vitamin C skincare can support your skin’s healthy appearance.

Vitamin C in its pure form – l-ascorbic acid, or ascorbic acid - is water soluble. As a result it’s often formulated in water-based serums for optimal absorption. The body does not store water-soluble Vitamin C which means we need to ingest it daily or, in terms of Vitamin C for skin, apply a topical Vitamin C regularly.

To get the most out of Vitamin C, apply a topical Vitamin C in the morning as part of your morning skincare regime. Like many skincare ingredients, the key to getting the most out of Vitamin C is regular use.

Vitamin C Is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralise skin-damaging free radicals – harmful molecules that impact the skin via pollution or natural bodily processes. We can take in antioxidants via our diet or a topically applied vitamin formula. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties make it an effective skin brightener.

Yes, ascorbic acid is Vitamin C. Vitamin C in its natural form is known by a range of names, including ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid and ascorbate. Each name refers to Vitamin C in its pure, bioavailable and water-soluble form.

A good rule of thumb for topical Vitamin C is to look for concentrations of 10-25%. There is a threshold at which the skin can no longer absorb Vitamin C, so there’s no need to seek a Vitamin C beyond a 10-25% concentration. For beginners, 10% is an efficacious concentration that will allow your skin to acclimatise to the ingredient gently.

It is recommended to wait 1-2 minutes for your Vitamin C to absorb before applying your next skincare step. This is because Vitamin C products are carefully formulated to deliver the desired potency, so diluting them with other skincare steps should be avoided.

Quite the opposite – Vitamin C can help the skin retain water and contribute to a smoother complexion with regular use. In addition, topical Vitamin C products are often formulated with other skin-loving ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to further boost skin moisture.

It’s unlikely that Vitamin C causes breakouts. However, when introducing a Vitamin C into your skincare routine we recommend taking it slow and allowing your skin to adjust. For example, start by applying your Vitamin C serum 2-3 times per week in the morning, and build up to the maximum frequency of every morning.

Vitamin C’s antioxidant and skin moisture barrier fortifying properties can be helpful for acne-prone skin. Moreover, Vitamin C’s ability to brighten dark spots that may occur from acne scarring make it a worthwhile addition to any acne-prone skincare routine.

Yes, you can wear Vitamin C in the sun applied before your daily sunscreen. Vitamin C helps protect skin from oxidants which can be generated through UV exposure. If you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun, take a look at our guide How to Care for Sun Damaged Skin for advice to bring your skin back to its healthy glow.