Vitamin C is more than just a nutrient found in your morning glass of orange juice — it’s also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your skin. Many skin care companies offer products like topical vitamin C serums, but what are the benefits? Keep reading to learn more about why you should include vitamin C as part of your daily skin care routine.
What Is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin we get from our diets. It’s best known as an immune-boosting nutrient that helps protect us from colds and other viruses. This is because vitamin C is an antioxidant compound.
Antioxidants protect our cells from damaging free radicals — oxygen molecules missing an electron. Free radicals steal electrons from our healthy cells, damaging them in the process. As their name implies, antioxidants act against free radicals by providing the extra electrons they need to rebalance themselves.
How Does Topical Vitamin C Work?
When you think of vitamin C, you likely think of eating citrus fruits, strawberries, or bell peppers to meet your needs. But did you know that vitamin C is now a popular skin care ingredient as well? You can find it when you walk down the cosmetics aisle of your favorite drug store, in the serums and creams section.
Remember that vitamin C has antioxidant properties. It scavenges for free radicals to protect your delicate skin cells from harm. Your skin is constantly exposed to the elements and is at risk of developing free radicals. When skin cells are damaged, your skin loses its texture and glow.
Common reasons for developing free radicals include:
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun’s powerful rays or indoor tanning beds
- Harmful chemicals in air pollution or exposure to pesticides
- Smoking cigarettes, which contain hundreds of chemicals and cancer-causing compounds
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices, like drinking alcohol or eating a diet high in sugar
Benefits of Vitamin C in Skin Care Products
Dermatologists recommend vitamin C for a variety of reasons. Its antioxidant effects help protect your skin from everyday exposure to the sun and other pollutants in your surroundings. Vitamin C is also key to promoting a healthy skin aging process. We’ll dig into these benefits more below.
1. It Protects Against Sun Damage
Studies show that vitamin C works well in protecting your skin from damaging UV rays. Researchers have found that vitamin C and vitamin E reduce the effects of UV light. This combination is also great for relieving inflammation from sunburns. For the best effects, apply a vitamin C serum together with sunscreen.
2. It Supports Collagen Production for Youthful Skin
Your skin contains collagen proteins that provide structure and support. A healthy collagen matrix keeps your skin looking plump, smooth, and healthy. As we age, our body makes less and less collagen over time — which leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin also loses its elasticity from this, making it sag and pull in places.
If you’re looking for an anti-aging solution, vitamin C serums can help. Some research suggests that this nutrient increases collagen production in the skin. Studies have also found that vitamin C helps stabilize existing collagen fibers.
3. It Treats Dark Spots (Hyperpigmentation)
Acne scars, sunspots, and other dark spots can leave a mark on your face. Skin experts recommend using vitamin C serums to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Clinical studies have found this treatment works well for age spots and dark skin patches that form from pregnancy.
It’s important to note that vitamin C’s effects for dark spots only last as long as you keep up with the treatment. If you stop, your dark spots can return.
When to Use Vitamin C
Ready to add a vitamin C product to your daily skin care routine? Here are some tips to get you started:
- Try testing some serum or cream on a small patch of skin to make sure you’re not allergic.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then dry and apply a toner (if needed).
- Apply your vitamin C serum at night after you cleanse and/or tone.
- Reapply the serum in the morning along with your daily sunscreen.
- Purchase vitamin C serums in dark or opaque bottles — the vitamin is sensitive to sunlight and heat.
- Choose a vitamin C concentration between 10% and 20% for the most effect without aggravating your skin.
Note: It can take a few months before you start noticing results.
Side Effects of Vitamin C
When starting any new topical treatment, it’s important to understand the side effects. Vitamin C is safe to use on a daily basis. However, you should stop and contact your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
- Itchy, red skin or rashes
- Dryness
- Yellow skin discoloration
- Stinging
