What to Know About Vitamin C Serums
What are Vitamin C Serums?
Topical Vitamin C is one of the most powerful and effective anti-aging skincare ingredients on the market. It works to combat skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, tone, complexion, and wrinkles. It also is used to protect your skin against pollution and free radicals. That said, it is important to understand that not all Vitamin C serums are created equal, and they are not one size fits all. When choosing an appropriate Vitamin C serum for your skin type, it is important to take into consideration the type, concentration, and delivery method into the skin, as well as the bottle/dispenser.
What does Vitamin C do?
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that protects against free-radical damage. When you think of free-radical damage, think of anything in our environment that we don’t have control over that can get into our skin and break down our collagen, causing fine lines/wrinkles, loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, and overall aging. Examples include cigarette smoke, pollution, dust, UVB rays, pesticides, and even some cleaning products. Vitamin C works by neutralizing these free radicals, making them unable to harm our skin.
When should Vitamin C be applied?
Vitamin C should be applied during your morning skincare routine and should be your second step, after cleansing, and before your SPF. This is to ensure that your skin is completely able to absorb all of the product.
Can Vitamin C be used with other products that contain active ingredients?
It is best to avoid using your Vitamin C with other products containing active ingredients (exfoliating products, retinol, etc.). Combining active ingredients can cause skin irritation. Our medical aestheticians will work with you to come up with a thorough skincare routine that ensures you are using products properly, and in the right sequence, in order to receive the maximum benefits from them!
Which Vitamin C is best for me?
As aforementioned, Vitamin Cs are not a one-size fits all product. Reading and understanding the ingredients within your Vitamin C is an important step in choosing one that is appropriate for your skin type. For instance, if your Vitamin C contains pure L-ascorbic acid, it may be more irritating on the skin. Depending on your skin type (dry, combination, or oily) ascorbic acids could be very beneficial in aiding your skin, or you may need to look for something gentler. Gentler options may include sodium ascorbyl phosphate or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. It is also important to note that Vitamin C serums containing acids oxidize more quickly as opposed to those that are non-acid forms. This means that when the product is exposed to light, such as every time you open the bottle, they may wear down and become less effective. This is why it is crucial to work with your medical aesthetician so that you are using a proper Vitamin C!
