Why you should be using Vitamin C for your face
Skincare feels so complicated but its really simple. You need to understand your skin, the weather, and your lifestyle. You would be surprised how easy it is to make your skin glow if you know those things. While there may be a lot of trendy skincare products in the market, very few are truly effective. So don’t get carried away by fads or buy something because your favorite celebrity is endorsing it. Understand the science behind it. Today, we shall explain why people rave about Vitamin C and why you need to include it in your skincare routine asap!
If you read a bit about skincare or follow trends on Instagram, you will definitely know about Vitamin C and its serums. They are called legendary or even the ‘holy grail.’ That may seem an exaggeration but trust us, it definitely isn’t. Vitamin C works. And it works wonderfully for all kinds of skin types and ages. And it very cost effective. Doesn’t that sound like a dream product? You may be getting Vitamin C in your diet, but there is no way to guarantee it is going straight to your skin. Topical applications like creams or serums are the best way to ensure you get Vitamin C. Serums are also the most recommended way of using Vitamin C.
What is Vitamin C? It is a potent and strong antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals. Simply speaking, it can repair your damaged skin cells. Regular Vitamin C serum application and use can fight pigmentation, sun damage, and keep your skin healthy. It can prevent premature aging and even reduce the chances of skin cancer. Skin experts suggest introducing Vitamin C serums in your routine by the age of 25.
Vitamin C is highly acidic which means it increases the production of collagen and elastin. This makes your skin plump and firm. It acts as a brightening agent, reducing dark spots and balancing your skin tone. For people suffering from pigmentation or hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C serums are an amazing way to even their skin tone.
The way you apply or use Vitamin C also matters. Look for ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid, the most stable form of Vitamin C in skincare. The reason serums are more popular than creams or oils is because they provide the greatest impact within the shortest period of time. Serums are also effective for all skin types while creams and toners or oils may not suit sensitive skin. You can combine Vitamin C with Vitamin E to get additional benefits at the same cost.
Vitamin C is one of the safest acids to use. It goes well with other agents such as retinol, SPF, and alpha-hydroxy acids. Sensitive skinned people can use Vitamin C in a low dosage and face no irritation. For those who get some rashes or bumps, they fade away after the initial breakout.
Vitamin C is also very hydrating. It replenishes the water loss in your skin beautifully and makes you retain moisture. Vitamin C contains magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which has a hydrating effect on our face.
People with dark circles under their eyes or under eye bags don’t have effective options for curing them. However, regular application of Vitamin C has been known to be highly effective in reducing dark circles. No cream can make your dark circles go away completely but Vitamin C comes the closest. Applying Vitamin C serum under your eyes can hydrate them, moisturize them, and reduce the darkness. It plumps your under eye bags and balances the discoloration.
You will notice Vitamin C serum bottles are always dark. That is on purpose. Vitamin C breaks down when exposed to light or air, and dark glass bottles help maintain its stability. So remember this when storing your serum.
You should do a skin patch test before trying Vitamin C on your face. Try a small amount on your forearm. Wait for 24-48 hours. If there is no allergic reaction, you can apply it on your face. Vitamin C should be used once or twice a day, in the morning and at night. Any more than that and it won’t be effective. Cleanse, tone, apply your serum, and then moisturize and apply sunscreen. Vitamin C is safe to be used with retinol and other active ingredients, so you can layer your serums. Or alternate between Vitamin C on some days and Retinol on the other.
Many famous and good skincare brands have their Vitamin C serum. It may seem expensive but using 1-2 drops on your face is enough to give you great results. You can ask for samples from your beauty store before you buy any or you can read up on reviews. Certain brands work better in certain weather and conditions so understand that before investing in them. You can try a brand that you have used before or one that suits sensitive skin such as Kiehl’s or Clinique.