Why I love Vitamin C and you will too!
Topical Vitamin C is all the buzz. We have been hearing about it for years as the most valuable antioxidant you can use in your skincare routine. But if you have not yet added vitamin C to your routine, or wondered what all the buzz is about, I hope to help you better understand it through sharing some valuable information on this star ingredient.
The most popular and effective vitamin C most commonly used in skincare products are L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.
L-ascorbic acid is a pure vitamin C and up until recently had the most research behind it. It is said to be the strongest and thus can cause the most sensitizing - reactions in the skin. It is also a water-soluble form of vitamin C making it the least stable form causing it to easily oxidize when exposed to air or formulated with the incorrect Ph.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C and is currently getting a lot of attention in the beauty industry as the go to ingredient for a stable vitamin C. Because it is fat soluble the body recognizes the tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate pulling it deeper and more effectively into the skin. The body then converts the tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate into a stable L-ascorbic acid that the body uses to protect itself and produces new collagen.
Magnesium ascorbyl is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin C. It is more stable in water but less potent than L-ascorbic acid. Therefore, this form of vitamin C is good for a more sensitive skin type.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is formed by mixing ascorbic acid with other substances to form a salt. Studies have shown it has the same properties as a pure vitamin C is more stable but does not tend to be as potent. It has a neutral Ph making it less irritating to the skin.
Why do we need vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an important part of the body’s cells. It is important to supplement Vitamin C as the body does not produce it naturally, instead the body obtains vitamin C from foods such as citrus fruits, bell peppers and other various fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is used in the body to produce energy in the cells and also to help protect and shield the body from environmental factors that can damage the body’s cells.
Applying vitamin C topically on the skin acts like an anti-oxidant to protect the skin from oxidative stress. Known as one of the largest contributors to aging, oxidative stress occurs when the cells of body are exposed to free radicals. Free radicals are found in the environment such as UV rays, pollution and cigarette smoke and are constantly acting on the body to produce microscopic amounts of damage that accumulate over time leading to the signs of aging.
Vitamin C in Skin Care
Topical vitamin C at the right concentration and formulation when applied correctly has amazing benefits for the skin. It helps with fine lines, evens out discolouration, helps with hydration, promotes collagen production, protects against sun damage, boosts wound healing, brightens the skin and helps keep melanin at bay.
Topical Vitamin C can be applied every morning after your cleansing step as your base product. It works best when it has direct contact to the surface of the skin. Only a few drops are needed to be effective and keep the skin protected. If you use a moisturizer apply that over the vitamin C and sunscreen should ALWAYS be applied over top of your morning routine.
