Serums containing vitamin C are well-known in the skin care industry. As one of the most effective anti-aging substances, vitamin C is credited for keeping skin soft, even, and glowing.
You may get vitamin C in your food, but there’s no assurance that it’s reaching your skin directly. Direct use of topical treatments and serums can provide many advantages.
Read on to know the advantages of vitamin C serums for skin and their side effects.
Vitamin C Serums for Skin: How Do They Work?
Vitamin C applications pose a challenge to manufacturers because of the vulnerability of vitamin C to degrade in the presence of air, heat, and light.
Ascorbic acid and vitamin C may be found in certain products in their natural form. Even while the skin readily absorbs ascorbic acid, it might have issues working well in some solutions.
Skincare companies package vitamin C in serums because it enables larger vitamin C concentrations to be delivered to the skin quickly.
Serums are often water- or oil-based treatments easily absorbed by the skin. Vitamin C can be encapsulated by certain manufacturers so that it doesn’t get into contact with air.
As a result, vitamin C has a shorter period to decompose. Most physicians advocate using serums after cleaning the face and before applying moisturizers.
This way, the serum is absorbed by the skin more efficiently. Serum makers can combine vitamin C and other well-known antioxidants to boost the serum’s potency.
Ferulic acid and vitamin E are two examples of this type of substance. These component combinations may be more effective at slowing and reversing the effects of aging when used as a whole.
Some people’s skin may be irritated by serums containing high quantities of acidic vitamin C. Apply a thin coating of vitamin C serum every other day for the first few days before progressively increasing the frequency of use to daily.
Additionally, mixing vitamin C and retinol might irritate the skin. Utilizing vitamin C serum during the day and retinol products at night is possible if you use retinol in your beauty routine.
While retinol has the potential to enhance sun sensitivity, this technique increases the sun-protective benefit of vitamin C.
Does Vitamin C Have Any Side Effects?
The most typical negative effect of utilizing a vitamin C serum is the tingling or stinging sensation, redness or itching, and reactive or sensitive skin.
Before using a new product, especially one as effective as a serum, make sure to patch test it on a small skin patch.
Many dermatologists recommend putting a small amount to your inner arm for a few days before applying it on your face to test how your skin reacts.
Due to the low pH, dry and sensitive skin may be particularly irritated by stronger formulations. To be safe, start with a milder formula, and work your way up if you’d prefer.
As long as it’s administered once a day, most individuals can benefit from going up to 10%, and some may even go up to 20%, as long as it’s applied only once a day.
Is It Possible to Combine Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C?
Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid are two skincare components that work much better together than they do on their own.
Combined with anti-aging products, these substances can have immediate and long-term benefits. People who used these two components together reported fewer wrinkles, enhanced skin brightness, and more moisturized skin after using a hyaluronic acid serum and L-ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C Serum Has Several Advantages
Evening out One’s Complexion
Hyperpigmentation can be treated with topically applied vitamin C. Areas of skin that seem darker than the rest of your body are known as hyperpigmentation.
These darker spots may be brought on by time. Vitamin C may be able to hamper the synthesis of melanin. Hyperpigmented parts have a darker look because of the pigment melanin.
It is possible to lessen the appearance of black spots by cutting back on their creation.
It Diminishes the Look of Dark Circles beneath the Eye
The under-eye area may be plumped using vitamin C serums. For others, vitamin C’s under-eye discoloration-relieving properties may be overshadowed by its ability to reduce general redness.
Including retinol into your skin care regimen is an effective strategy to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags.
Protection from Sun
A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and vegetables. This implies that it lowers the harm that free radicals may cause the human body.
Free radicals generate inflammatory reactions. Vitamin C’s skin-protective antioxidant actions include:
- Lowering the rate of untimely cell death
- Inducing an anti-inflammatory response in the body
- Minimizing the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
While topical vitamin C should not be used in place of sunscreen as a means of skin protection, it may help shield the skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
It Encourages the Formation of Collagen
As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen. Collagen deficiency can result in wrinkles and fine lines.
It is well-known that Vitamin C enhances the formation of collagen by encouraging collagen synthesis. Collagen formation would be impossible if vitamin C weren’t present.
Collagen production requires two enzymes, both of which require vitamin C as a cofactor:
- Prolyl hydroxylase
- Lysyl hydroxylase
Preventing the Onset of Old Age
Wrinkles that form naturally over time cannot be reversed by vitamin C. Vitamin C serums, on the other hand, can slow down the signs of premature aging by shielding the skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.
Premature wrinkling can be reduced by increasing the collagen development produced by vitamin C. To maintain the skin’s structure and flexibility, collagen is necessary.
Wrapping Up
Using vitamin C serums for skin has many advantages. Acne and hyperpigmentation may be treated with Vitamin C, improving your skin’s appearance.
Make sure to include it into your skincare regimen in a way that helps to get the best results. Some individuals use it as a night serum for its UV protection, while others prefer it in the morning.
If you notice any irritation or pain, you should stop using the product immediately.