What is Vitamin C in Skincare?

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that we do not produce ourselves. We solely rely on it coming from our diet and topical skincare products. Vit C is an antioxidant which means that it protects skin from and neutralises free radicals (unstable particles that try to pair with and breakdown healthy skin cells).

Benefits of vitamin C in skincare:

• Helps with collagen production
• Reduces the appearance of dark spots/pigmentation and uneven skin tone
• It is a backup protection alongside your SPF due to its antioxidant properties
• Promotes wound healing
• Strengthens capillary walls helping to reduce redness in the skin

Did you know? We are the only mammals that do not produce our own Vitamin C!

Who is Vitamin C for?

There is a Vitamin C product out here for all skin types. The most effective and stable form of Vitamin C in skincare is L-ascorbic acid. It can be irritating if not formulated correctly or blended with the correct ingredients. Look out for your Vitamin C products that also contain Vitamin E as it stabilises the Vitamin C and therefore is more comfortable as well as hydrating on the skin.

What skin types does it best suit?

• Dry
• Ageing
• Pigmented skin
• Treat redness and rosacea

Oily Skin and Vitamin C

In a clinic setting Vitamin C can be an ingredient that we avoid recommending to an oily/acne prone skin. As it is not oil soluble and must be blended with other specific ingredients in order to suit this skin type. However, Vitamin C products do exist for this type of skin, for example SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF and Environ A C E Oil.

If you have difficulty using Vitamin C topically, you can take the skin specific Vit C supplement from Advanced Nutrition Programme that will treat the skin and help with collagen strengthening.

Where does your Vitamin C place in your skincare routine?

As Vitamin C is an antioxidant, we want to avail of that protection in the morning on a cleansed skin before our SPF. There are other Vitamin C products that can be used day and night such as masks, eye products and night creams. The role of Vitamin C when using these products is for the collagen/elastin stimulation, brightening and hydrating properties.

Skin Expert Edele’s Top 5 Vitamin C products

Alumier Everactive C+E +Peptide

This a uniquely, clinically validated antioxidant serum that reduces the visible signs of ageing with its optimally active 15% Vitamin C complex. Within this product the Vitamin C crystals and serum are separate in 3-monthly bottles. These are mixed when ready to use keeping them fresh and un-oxidised. Vitamin E and an amazing peptide called Matrixyl Synthe 6 are also present in the Vitamin C product making it a strengthening and hydrating powerhouse!

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

This Antioxidant is a unique serum for oily and blemish prone skin. It is an oil free formulation that not only embodies all the benefits of Vitamin C, reduces oiliness, refines texture and visibly improves clarity while still working on improving fine line and wrinkles. All of this takes place without being too overstimulating or irritating to an oily or acne prone skin.

Medik8 C-Tetra Serum

One of my Favourites! The Medik8 C-Tetra serum combines Vitamins C and E to brighten, smooth complexion as well as giving antioxidant protection, stimulation collagen and elastin leaving skin protected and glowing.

ASAP Super C Complex

This serum is a super concentrated serum that helps break down pigmentation, stimulates collagen and elastin and gives your skin a brighter, clearer, bouncier complexion.

Image Vital C Serum 

This powerful bestselling serum blends antioxidants, hyaluronic acid as well as Vitamins A, C and E to nourish, restore and protect the skin. While using this serum you'll notice an improvement in texture, radiance and an overall brighter, plump skin. 

Vitamin C Supplements

As seen above, vitamin C offers many benefits to the skin but it is also a super vitamin. Some of the key benefits include:

• Boosting the immune system
• Helping the body absorb iron
• Powerful antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Mood boosting 

When is the best time to take a vitamin c supplement?

Vitamin c can be taken at any time of day but some find its stimulating effects on the body has can affect their sleep and therefore find it better to take first thing in the morning.

Top Vitamin C Supplements:

• Advanced Nutrition Programme Bestseller Skin Vit C
• Revive Active
• fabÜ Shrooms Immune
• Annutri Glow It Supplements Hyaluronic Acid Vitamin C & MSM
• Yourzooki Vitamin C Zooki, Liposomal Vitamin C