From its skin brightening abilities to protecting against sun damage, Vitamin C is a skin care power house and one of the most researched, science-backed ingredients in cosmetics! Here’s what it does for your skin and how you can incorporate it into your routine to help treat a whole range of skin care concerns!
What is Vitamin C for skin care?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that is necessary for proper growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues in the body. Our bodies can’t make it, so we need to eat plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods (citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, we’re looking at you!) for our bodies and skin to function. But we can also complement or supplement the Vitamin C in our diet by applying it topically to our skin.
So what does Vitamin C do for your skin?
• Evens out and brightens skin tone
• A powerful antioxidant, protecting cells against free radicals
• Protects against sun damage/photo ageing (when skin becomes damaged by repeated exposure to UV radiation)
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
How does Vitamin C work?
Try an experiment. Chop up a banana, leave half exposed to the environment and squeeze orange juice or lemon juice over the other half. Note how quickly the exposed half turns brown - so fast! Meanwhile the other half will remain fresher for longer as it is protected from oxidation by the antioxidant power of the Vitamin C in the lemon juice - keeping that banana younger for longer. Luckily, we don’t age like bananas (thank goodness) but this experiment shows how powerful Vitamin C is as an antioxidant.
Vitamin C is also one of the best-known ingredients to even out and illuminate the skin tone. It works by inhibiting the production and expression of melanin (the skin’s pigment) to prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots. And it provides protection against UV damage and free radicals (caused by daily exposure to UV rays and air pollution).
Last but certainly not least, the skin needs Vitamin C to boost collagen production – for smoother, firmer, youthful-looking skin – and helps smooth out lines. Yes please! All in all, topical Vitamin C is like a tall glass of refreshing, freshly squeezed orange juice for your skin.
Ok but what’s the difference between eating it and putting it on skin topically?
Vitamin C needs to be consumed every day in order for a number of key functions in the body. While It does get transported to skin via the bloodstream, and oral supplementation can also increase skin Vitamin C levels, topical application is one of the most effective ways of boosting Vitamin C levels in skin.
How can I incorporate it into my routine?
Vitamin C already plays a starring role in many skin care products such as toners, moisturisers, face masks, and mists. However, the most efficient way to deliver it to your skin is usually by way of a potent, targeted treatment designed for effective absorption.
While you can combine use of Vitamin C, AHA and Retinol in your skin care routine (using Retinol and at night and Vitamin C during the day) we suggest focusing on a specific skin concern at a time.
For example, Gabriela Zuanazzi, Principal Formulation Chemist behind some of the formulations within Oriflame’s Proceuticals range, suggests completing a 4-week Proceuticals Vitamin C Solution 10% routine first and only afterwards adding in our NovAge ProCeuticals Retinol Power Drops and NovAge ProCeuticals 6% AHA Peel Solution at night.
Keep in mind that for best results, you should always apply Vitamin C after cleansing, but before your moisturiser.
Not all Vitamin C is created equal
Another thing to keep in mind when adding Vitamin C to your routine is the form of Vitamin C being applied. L-Ascorbic Acid is the chemically active form of Vitamin C, and is most effective when fresh (much like a fresh glass of orange juice). However, it is also notoriously unstable, and rapidly loses its potency when exposed to light, air, and heat – that’s why it requires very precise conditions to effectively deliver its antioxidant power to the skin.
As such, it requires special care to deliver its greatness! Proceuticals Vitamin C Solution 10% is pure, fresh Vitamin C (AKA ascorbic acid), innovatively packaged for the ultimate stability, delivery and performance. Use as a four-week course, every night. Each bottle in the set is designed to be used up in 1 week. Just 3-4 pumps to brighter looking, even-toned skin!
