Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) acts as a potent antioxidant besides playing an important function in the body’s systems. New cells may require this nutrient to be created, and damaged cells may need it to be healed. In the course of skincare, Vitamin C serum has become quite popular due to the following benefits. This article attempts to discuss various multiple benefits of Vitamin C serum for the skin. Furthermore, its working and uses for the skin are also uncovered here.
Vitamin C serum for skin
This vitamin can be easily washed out from the body and is not synthesizable in the human organism. Hence, it has to be acquired from food or through ointments and creams. This vitamin is usually incorporated into the skincare routine in the form of serums. Serums are liquids that contain high concentrations of active ingredients and can easily be absorbed by the skin. Serum form enables Vitamin C with a comparatively high concentration to be deposited in the skin. This will thus, enhance the whole effect.
Benefits of vitamin C serum for skin
The application of Vitamin C serum has its benefits to the skin. Hence, it is important to incorporate the serum into the skincare regime. It acts as a scavenger to ward off damage from the environment and assists in the building of collagen. Collagen is vital in skin firmness and elimination of wrinkles. Moreover, this vitamin also helps in lightening the skin complexions, controlling inflammation, and strengthening skin immunity. With Vitamin C serum, skin health and ageing can be managed well.
Works as an amazing antioxidant
Among all the other uses of Vitamin C, the use that can be categorized as antioxidant use is probably the most famous. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which are reactive molecules that can alter the structure of cells including the skin cells. Environmental factors that cause free radicals include; UV radiation, pollution, and smoking to name but a few. It shields the skin from free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and early signs of skin ageing. Another function of Vitamin C which is the antioxidant function helps to shield the skin from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are charged species that have unpaired electrons on them that are very reactive.
Assists in collagen synthesis
Essential for collagen synthesis, Vitamin C is important in constructing the skin’s setting and elasticity. Specifically, collagen is needed to keep the skin firm and elastic. One of the major troubles of ageing is that collagen production reduces and creates wrinkles and loose skin. Vitamin C serum assists in the creation of collagen which helps to lessen the effects of fine lines and wrinkles and maintain the skin looking fresh and tight. Yet another advantage of Vitamin C serum is that it helps to fade the skin. Vitamin C works to block the tyrosinase enzyme that plays a role in the synthesis of melanin, the skin pigment.
The source of support for skin structure is collagen, which is the most sought-after protein in the body. Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis, thus supporting the formation of very dense and healthy fibres, in addition to eradicating the signs of ageing like sagginess, and wrinkles.
Fade out hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C also works effectively to light the skin from hyperpigmentation, dark spots and even acne scars making the skin smooth and bright.
It also has specific benefits in fighting hyperpigmentation as a result of sun exposure, hormonal shifts, and acne largely as a result of its ability to suppress melanin synthesis, fade dark spots, and brighten skin tone. They also protect the skin from sun damage by scavenging free radicals as well as repairing skin cells that in of have been damaged by UV radiation.
Anti-inflammatory properties
On its part, vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that could prove helpful to the skin. Acne, rosacea and eczema are among the skin inflammations that are caused by genes and lifestyle. Thus, Vitamin C is instrumental in the resolution of skin inflammation hence the reduction of redness and elevated skin health.
Sun protection
Although Vitamin C cannot replace sunscreen, its application on the skin will complement the effect of the sunscreen. The effect of UV radiation on the skin is severe and may lead to sunburn, photo ageing and skin cancer. The \endeotherapy of vitamin C serum helps to enhance the protection abilities of sunscreen in the fight against damages caused by UV radiation. It can also be useful to correct some of the effects that expose the skin to UV light; some of which include sunburn spots and skin uneven skin tone.
Improves skin hydration
As you might know, vitamin C serum can effectively increase the skin’s water content and its ability to retain moisture. By improving the barrier capacity of the skin, it contributes to the skin’s water retention, which gives elasticity and tone to the skin. This is because skin that is well moisturized does not crack and hence does not have the breaks which give opponents a surface to latch to and pull the skin to and it is due to this that well-hydrated skin will not easily dry, peel or itch hence resulting in smoother skin. Thus, the immune system is a very essential organ concerning the health of the skin.
Vitamin C works positively on the skin barrier function which helps to prevent loss of moisture and keeps the skin hydrated, it is ideal for people with dry and sensitive skin. It can improve skin immunity by stimulating the synthesis of dermal matrix, enhancing the repairing effect on acne and other skin injuries, thus decreasing the formation of acne scars and improving the skin’s micro-relief.
How to use Vitamin C serum
That is why Vitamin C strengthens the skin’s immune response by increasing the number of developing skin cells and facilitating the repair of damaged skin. Services such as exfoliating, facial masking, and facial steam are very advantageous for the skin. These are healing for skin from many problems such as acne and skin injuries. To maximize the gains of Vitamin C serum, the product needs to be applied sufficiently as indicated below:
Below are some guidelines for observing using Vitamin C serum in your skincare regimen.
When selecting a Vitamin C serum, ensure that it has L-ascorbic acid at a concentration of 10% to 20% as the active Vitamin C ingredient and it comes in a black, air-tight bottle.
Do a patch test before manifesting it into your skincare regime to avoid any side effects.
Apply a small amount of the serum on the clean skin of the face and neck. This will allow the serum to go deep and be efficient in its mission that it was designed for.
Regarding the application of the serum, it should be applied before the moisturizer. It should be noted that incorporating other active ingredients like retinol or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) should be discussed with a dermatologist. A dermatologist will guide you about the proper sequence of use. Apply Vitamin C daily in the morning and be sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
It should be applied in the morning and then the cream should then be covered by a moisturizer followed by sunscreen. It is effective when used together with other products such as Vitamin E; ferulic acid, or even retinol.
Conclusion
Thus, Vitamin C serum has several benefits for the skin when incorporated into a daily skincare regime. Vitamin C serum helps with antioxidant protection, collagen production, skin lightening, and inflammation. That’s why it should be the go-to remedy for healthy and youthful skin as well as fighting skin ageing.
Vitamin C serum helps with antioxidant protection, collagen production, skin lightening, and inflammation.
Yes, it is safe to use Vitamin C daily.
Yes