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I know I’m late to the game, but for some reason, vitamin C only recently came on my radar. Sure, I’d heard about exfoliating, retinol, hyaluronic acid, etc., and was incorporating them into my routine, but it’s only been in the past year or so that I’ve been fully turned on to the myriad vitamin c benefits for the skin. Turns out, I was missing out on a lot.
Did you know that vitamin C can be used every day? I hadn’t realized that it was gentle enough for daily use. However, if you also like to use retinol, feel free to alternate it by applying it every other day or conversely, use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Luckily, most skin types tolerate this popular active ingredient well, but if you have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to skip it. And as always, be sure to talk with your dermatologist about vitamin c benefits for skin if you’re concerned.
We tapped Dr. Heather D. Rogers, dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and founder and CEO, Doctor Rogers RESTORE, to share some information about this wonder ingredient. Not only does she recommend daily vitamin C application to her patients, but she also uses a vitamin C serum every morning on clean, bare skin. It is the first topical she applies to the face, neck, and upper chest.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant molecule that plays a vital role in our skin’s health by protecting it against free radicals caused by pollution and the sun’s radiation—it’s also an important ingredient for the production of collagen. When free radicals penetrate the skin, Dr. Rogers says they break down our collagen, contributing to sagging skin and wrinkles. Free radicals also stimulate the formation of brown spots and skin cancer. An antioxidant is a molecule that can collect these free radicals and neutralize them before they damage our cells. This protection is different from the protection sunscreen provides and can and should be used together daily to slow the signs of aging and prevent the formation of skin cancers.
There are several kinds of vitamin C. The most common forms used in skincare products are L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ethyl ascorbic acid, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Another great thing about vitamin C is that it’s the most well-studied antioxidant in topical skincare products. Dr. Rogers’ tells me multiple studies show that antioxidant serums with vitamin C that are stabilized with vitamin E protect your skin against photo-aging. Since the skin is very good at keeping things out, these antioxidants need to be in a well-formulated, easily absorbed vehicle to ensure these essential and expensive vitamins get deep enough into the skin to protect it. Formulation is key!
Who can use vitamin C?
Vitamin C is very safe for most people, but since it is an acid (ascorbic acid), it can irritate sensitive skin types. If you have very sensitive skin, you need to pick a lower percentage of vitamin C because your skin is too good at absorbing ingredients, which makes it more sensitive.
Most studies show benefits to the skin when using serums with 10% vitamin C. Higher percentages do not mean better results but can increase one’s risk of irritation.
How long does it take to see results?
Dr. Rogers points to several factors when it comes to seeing results. Generally, you may see improvement at two weeks, however most clinical studies measure results when using a product with vitamin C after 12 weeks. But that all depends on how damaged your skin is, how consistently you use the serum, how well formulated it is, and how young you are—since that dictates how quickly your skin turns over.
Vitamin C application tips
- Use it in the right order. If your vitamin C treatment is a serum, use it after cleansing or toning and before moisturizing. If it’s in your moisturizer, use it as your last step.
- Use vitamin C in the morning. You can totally use it at night, but you’ll get the most benefit from applying in the morning. It heals sun damage and protects against UV radiation, so you’ll have an extra layer of protection with a morning application.
- Pick the right concentration. If you have sensitive skin, look for something around 5%. If you have more extensive issues you can handle higher concentrations.
- More is not better. It’s just more expensive in the long run. A small amount goes a long way, but be sure to use it regularly for best results.
- If the product changes color, toss it! Oxidized vitamin C tends to lose its power. It can vary in color from colorless, to straw-colored to pale orange. If it’s turned brown it might be time to say goodbye.
Our vitamin C-packed picks include an eye serum, non-toxic options, face oil, and more! However you like your skincare delivered, there’s a little something for everyone.
Read on for some of the best vitamin C products
This serum has won beauty awards and the favor of editors and dermatologists alike for good reason. You’ll love it for its ability to fight fine lines and wrinkles while dramatically lightening sun damage and dark spots. The formula contains complementing antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic, which help increase the efficacy of vitamin C. It’s on the pricier side, but a couple of small drops go a long way.
I have a friend who swears by this face oil for fading acne scars, leaving you with giving brighter, firmer, and more glowy skin. Users have reported seeing a drastic difference and a just-got-a-facial-level glow in just one week!
Our drugstore gem of the group, this serum gets rid of dullness gently, and effectively reduces discoloration. It has a waterless formula and an airtight UV blocking tube to prevent oxidation of the formula and keep it in its most effective state. It is a great drugstore option that has incredible vitamin c benefits for the skin.
Green beauty products can sometimes be less than effective or you have to use them for a long time to see any results. This formula is different. It’s one of the best ones I’ve tried and my current personal favorite. I’ve noticed a dramatic difference in sun damage and scars fading. The serum’s formula works to increases collagen production and improves elasticity, leaving you with clear, smooth, and radiant skin.
This power-packed nontoxic formula contains five different forms of vitamin C, a handful of antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, and a peptide blend, making it amazing for under-eye brightening and firming. Besides actually working well, the air-tight packaging and natural formula are major pluses.
Clinically proven and also made with clean, natural ingredients? Yes, please. This oil leaves skin soft, smooth, and glowing. Its weightless hydrating formula is made with squalane oil, vitamin c, chios crystal oil, and rose oil. It feels as good as it makes your skin look.
This clean and gentle formula has two kinds of vitamin C stabilized by antioxidant-rich Japanese beautyberry to give you a translucent, youthful glow. Mild fruit AHAs resurface dull, uneven skin as Japanese angelica root reduces the look of dark spots and scarring.
The most affordable option on the list also happens to be one of the most popular ones as well. It’s a highly effective suspension with a whopping 23% of pure vitamin C. It stays completely stable thanks to the absence of water, is vegan and cruelty-free.
This potent lightweight cream works quickly to reduce the look of fine lines while also improving skin texture. Whether you’re a longtime Kiehl fan or not, you’ll want to take a look at this option.
This potent daily serum is made with a vitamin C superfruit complex that protects against free radicals, evens skin tone, plumps, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a gentle, calming, and nourishing blend that supports overall skin health.
Take a look at Dr. Rogers’ recommendations for the best vitamin C products!
This hardworking vitamin C serum dramatically brightens dark spots.
Dr. Rogers recommends this scientifically advanced and award-winning serum. Not only does it provide antioxidant protection, but it improves the look of uneven skin tone and redness too.
Take a look at this lotion. It contains the most stable and lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, as well as squalane to moisturize and condition the skin.
Neutralize free radicals with this Dr. Rogers-recommended absorbent, powerful serum.
Get all the benefits of this powerful 15% serum that is full of antioxidants, nutrients, and fruit enzymes that help to firm up, brighten, and improve visible signs of photoaging.
This post was originally published on May 20, 2020, and has since been updated.
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