Everything you need to know about Vitamin C and It’s benefits
One of the most celebrated ingredients in the beauty world is vitamin C. Vitamin C might just be your skin’s new best friend (next to our super powders, of course!). But what’s all the hype about and why this powerhouse ingredient is a must-have for your skincare routine?
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, capsicum, and spinach. While our bodies can’t make it on their own, it plays a super important role in keeping our skin and bodies healthy. Our bodies also don’t store vitamin C in large amounts. Instead, any excess Vitamin C is excreted through urine. Due to this, it’s important to regularly consume vitamin C-rich foods or supplements to maintain adequate levels.
How Does Vitamin C Benefit Your Skin?
Vitamin C works wonders for your skin in several ways:
- Boosts Collagen Production Collagen is what keeps our skin firm and bouncy. Unfortunately, our collagen production slows as we age, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Vitamin C helps boost collagen production, keeping your skin youthful and firm.
- Fights Free Radicals Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. This means it helps protect your skin from nasty free radicals—unstable molecules from UV rays, pollution, and other environmental stressors that can damage it. Vitamin C helps prevent premature aging and skin damage by neutralising these free radicals.
- Brightens Your Complexion One of the coolest things about Vitamin C is its ability to brighten and even out your skin tone. It helps reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving you a more radiant and glowing complexion.
- Soothes Inflammation If you have sensitive skin or conditions like acne or rosacea, Vitamin C can be hugely beneficial. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and calm irritated skin.
- Enhances Sun Protection While Vitamin C isn’t a substitute for sunscreen, it does offer additional protection against sun damage. It helps repair and regenerate damaged skin cells, making your SPF even more effective.
How to Improve Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C is a versatile nutrient that can be taken both topically and internally to promote overall health and skin benefits. Here’s a look at the various methods of incorporating Vitamin C into your routine:
Internally
Internal Vitamin C is better for:
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Overall health and wellness.
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Boosting the immune system.
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Enhancing collagen production throughout the body.
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Protecting against general oxidative stress and chronic diseases.
Dietary Sources The most natural way to get Vitamin C is through your diet. Consuming various fruits and vegetables can help you meet your daily Vitamin C needs. Some rich dietary sources include:
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Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits)
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Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
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Kiwifruit
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Capiscum
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Broccoli
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Brussels sprouts
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Tomatoes
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Spinach
Supplements If you’re not getting enough Vitamin C from your diet, supplements are an effective alternative. Vitamin C supplements come in various forms:
- Tablets and Capsules These are the most common forms and are easy to take daily.
- Chewable Tablets Great for those who prefer not to swallow pills.
- Powder Can be mixed with water or juice for those who have difficulty with pills. Our super powders also contain Vitamin C.
- Effervescent Tablets Dissolve in water to create a fizzy drink.
- Gummies are a tasty option, especially for children or those who dislike pills.Fortified Foods and Beverages
Some foods and drinks are fortified with Vitamin C. These include certain breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and dairy products. Checking labels can help you identify these fortified options.
Topically
Topical Vitamin C is better for:
- Targeted skin benefits, such as brightening and reducing hyperpigmentation.
- Stimulating collagen production directly in the skin.
- Protecting the skin from environmental damage and premature aging.
- Reducing inflammation and redness in the skin.
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- Serums Vitamin C serums are a popular choice for topical application. These concentrated formulas deliver Vitamin C directly to the skin, helping to brighten the complexion, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and protect against environmental damage. Look for serums with 10-20% L-ascorbic acid concentration for optimal results.
- Moisturisers Many moisturisers include Vitamin C in their formulations. These products provide the added benefit of hydration while delivering Vitamin C to the skin. They are less concentrated than serums but are a good option for daily use.
- Face Masks Vitamin C face masks can provide an intensive treatment to brighten and rejuvenate the skin. These masks are typically used a few times a week and can be a great addition to your skincare routine.
- Cleansers Some facial cleansers are infused with Vitamin C to help brighten and cleanse the skin simultaneously. While the contact time with the skin is shorter, they can still provide some benefits, especially when used in conjunction with other Vitamin C products.
- Spot Treatments Vitamin C spot treatments are effective for targeted treatment of dark spots or hyperpigmentation. These concentrated products are applied directly to problem areas to help even out the skin tone.
Ready to give your skin a boost with Vitamin C? Here’s how to get started:
- Vitamin C comes in many forms, like serums, moisturisers, and creams. Serums are especially effective because they can penetrate the skin deeply. Look for products with L-ascorbic acid, the most effective form of Vitamin C. Our super powders are an easy way to add Vitamin C into your diet, and we have formulated them with some amazing ingredients to help with sleep, gut, and energy.
- For the best results, choose a product with a Vitamin C concentration between 10% and 20%. Higher concentrations can be more potent but might irritate sensitive skin. I
- Apply your Vitamin C serum in the morning after cleansing and toning, but before moisturising and applying sunscreen. Vitamin C can protect your skin from the day’s environmental stressors.
- Store It Correctly Vitamin C can break down when exposed to light and air. Keep your products in a cool, dark place, and make sure the packaging is airtight and opaque.
It’s also important to know if you’re not healthy on the inside, it won’t be reflected in your skin condition, so before you waste money on topical solutions, improve your inner health. These changes will be show in the condition of your hair, nails and skin.
So, there you have it! Vitamin C is truly a superhero ingredient for your skin. Its ability to boost collagen, fight free radicals, brighten your complexion, soothe inflammation, and enhance sun protection makes it a must-have in your skincare routine.
Source
Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1. PMID: 29104718; PMCID: PMC5605218.
DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177/2325967118804544. PMID: 30386805; PMCID: PMC6204628.
Gęgotek A, Skrzydlewska E. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ascorbic Acid. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Oct 7;11(10):1993. doi: 10.3390/antiox11101993. PMID: 36290716; PMCID: PMC9598715.
Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1. PMID: 29104718; PMCID: PMC5605218.
Maurya VK, Shakya A, McClements DJ, Srinivasan R, Bashir K, Ramesh T, Lee J, Sathiyamoorthi E. Vitamin C fortification: need and recent trends in encapsulation technologies. Front Nutr. 2023 Sep 7;10:1229243. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1229243. PMID: 37743910; PMCID: PMC10517877.