Vitamin C benefits for skin

We normally associate Vitamin C with curing colds and fighting off scurvy but there are many more health and beauty benefits to Vitamin C than meets the eye.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a very important nutrient that’s abundant in many fruits and vegetables as well as being one of the most powerful topical antioxidants.

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and unlike fat soluble vitamins, it will not get stored in the body. The Vitamin C instead travels to your tissues through body fluids and excess Vitamin C will be expelled through urine.

As your body does not store Vitamin C or produce its own, it’s important to ensure you get enough Vitamin C daily as it plays a vital role for maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin C also has many other benefits which is why there are many skincare products containing this vitamin. Read on to find out the benefits of Vitamin C in skincare.

Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C has many important functions to play to support your body. Vitamin C helps to protect cells and keep them healthy. It aids in maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels and bones as well as supporting wound healing.

UV Protection

Vitamin C protects your skin from UV exposure, inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots.

It neutralises free radical damage and protects the skin against other environmental stresses. It also blocks irregular production of pigmentation and promotes smooth even skin tone and reduction of dark spots.

Wrinkle-Free

Vitamin C enhances collagen production which means that any wrinkles and fine lines are noticeably softened once you start using a Vitamin C serum. Regular topical application of Vitamin C serums can even prevent new wrinkles from appearing and skin will feel firmer.

Rich in Antioxidants

Being rich in antioxidants, using Vitamin C regularly will boost your skin’s defence against premature aging, giving you a more youthful look.

Hydrates your skin

Vitamin C creams and serums hydrate your skin and prevent any trans epidermal water loss. Due to the ascorbic acid, they also remain effective on your skin for up to 72 hours.

Is Vitamin C suitable for all skin types?

The most stabilised form of Vitamin C is formulated with ascorbic acid concentrations between 10% to 20% along with a low PH of less than 3.5.

Most Vitamin C skincare products are generally suitable for all skin types. Those who have very sensitive skin may find that more than 15% concentrations of ascorbic acid may sting your sensitive skin. Those who have very oily skin may find that using a Vitamin C serum every other day or every two days may work best for them rather than daily.

Vitamin C and Zinc

Using a product that contains both Vitamin C and Zinc is very beneficial for the skin as Zinc enhances the effect of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is required for the body to form collagen and Zinc helps to form and maintain the skin. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, zinc is an excellent mineral for those with acne and scarring.

Combined, these two vitamins and minerals aid in the creation and restoration of brighter, healthier skin.

Niacinamide and Vitamin C

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, which is an essential nutrient. Paired with Vitamin C, they make an excellent duo especially if you want to boost skin hydration, achieve brighter skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Niacinamide and Vitamin C can reduce environmental damage through their ability to improve the skin’s barrier as well as aiding your skin in creating more hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Vitamin C Oil

Vitamin C Oil can help to energise and illuminate your skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Vitamin C oil generally contains a stable form of Vitamin C which aids in collagen production, brightening and smoothing out uneven skin tones.

Vitamin C for Skin Lightening

L-Ascorbic Acid is the best form of Vitamin C to lighten your skin as it will penetrate your skin the best. Other neutralised forms of Vitamin C won’t penetrate as well and will not achieve the results you may desire.

In order for a Vitamin C skincare product to effectively lighten your skin, it should have atleast 15% concentration and it should also be fresh (ascorbic acid can oxidise over time meaning it won’t be as effective as time goes on so be sure to keep your Vitamin C product in an airtight jar).

To ensure that your Vitamin C enriched skincare products work to their best, it is recommended to exfoliate your skin each week. This will get rid of discoloured dead skin cells and bring about the results you want quicker.

Want to reap all the skin benefits of Vitamin C? Tegoder’s Absolute O2 Moisturising Cream is enriched with Vitamin C extracts to give your skin a healthy glow boost. Take a look at our absolute fusion line to find vitamin enriched products that will bring moisture and nutrition to your skin.