One of the magic ingredients in many skincare products is vitamin C. It has the potential to help a large number of skin issues. Vitamin C is a unique all-natural ingredient that skin loves no matter what age you are, what skin issues you have, or how often you perform your skincare routine. 

 

Let’s be real. Vitamin C won’t be the hero in all skincare emergencies, nor is it a miracle vitamin. However, it’s helpful in many situations, so it’s important to know when you should call on this amazing skincare helper. So, let’s explore why vitamin C is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare treatments.

 

Why Is Vitamin C So Popular? 

 

Many people have had success in using vitamin C as part of an anti-aging skincare regimen, and they love it. Vitamin C also assists with maintaining smooth skin, restoring a natural glow, and pampering yourself with a little self-care indulgence. 

 

Many people opt to use vitamin C because it is a safe ingredient for different skin types. If someone does have an adverse reaction, it is likely due to too much sun exposure after treatment. 

 

If you have historically sensitive skin, there is a chance that you may have some minor irritation, but that usually goes away within a few minutes. Be sure to spot test any masks or serums that contain vitamin C just to be on the safe side.

 

So, now that you know why vitamin C is a popular skincare treatment, let’s explore what it does for your skin. 

It Helps With Hydration 

 

Vitamin C keeps your skin hydrated. Vitamin C contains a few powerful elements, including magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which allows the skin to stay supple. Keeping your skin hydrated can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, which is something we’re all striving for.

 

Of course, if you drink a lot of water and take a vitamin C supplement, you hydrate your body and skin from the inside out, which is a perfect plan for radiant, glowing skin.

 

It Helps with Brightening Your Skin

 

Another benefit of vitamin C is it helps to fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation and smoothes out your skin tone. Vitamin C has also shown promise in reducing sunspots and dark circles, giving your skin an overall brighter appearance.

 

Part of the reason that you have dark circles under your eyes is that you lack hydration in the tender area under your eyes. Some vitamin C serums work to plump that area of the skin and smooth out fine lines. Vitamin C can also assist your eye cream in those problem areas and make your results even more noticeable.

 

For the best results, use a vitamin C serum in the morning before applying your makeup. It may take some time to brighten your skin if it has to work through years of dull, dry skin, but vitamin C is up to the task.

It Helps To Even Out Your Skin Tone

 

If you experience puffiness, redness, or acne, vitamin C can reduce the redness to reveal a smooth, even complexion. 

 

If you aren’t a fan of concealer, using a vitamin C serum, mask, or moisturizer helps you to go without and still feel comfortable. These treatments are best used daily to reduce acne or dullness, but they can spot problem areas when they do arise.

 

Whether you have hyperpigmentation, age spots, sunspots, or other signs of aging, you may have skincare success with vitamin C. 

 

This ingredient evens out the appearance of your skin where there has been acne scarring. It works by helping to slow melanin production, but it won’t actually fade your beautiful skin tone as other products do.

 

It Helps With Collagen Production 

 

As you age, your skin will naturally start to reduce its collagen production, leading to fine lines and sallow skin. Collagen occurs naturally, and you can supplement it in your diet, but that usually isn’t enough to combat the cruel hands of time. 

 

A good vitamin C mask or serum can stimulate collagen production, so your skin naturally hydrates, plumps up, and looks younger. All this makes you feel younger, too.

 

When collagen is present, your skin will become firmer and more elastic. This helps it to bounce back from any problems and appear brighter and more youthful. Without collagen, our skin would start to sag.  

 

It Protects Against Sun Damage 

 

Sun damage is a serious concern for people who care about their skin. Not only does it lead to hyperpigmentation and sunspots, but it can increase signs of aging and significantly dry out your skin. 

 

Sun damage occurs when the skin is exposed to direct sunlight without protection. The sun’s UV rays damage your skin on a cellular level, which is what causes the appearance of dark spots, aging, and sunburns. If you do get sunburn or suffer any type of sun damage, vitamin C has shown promise in soothing the skin and reducing visible signs of redness and swelling.

 

It Helps With Acne Healing

 

As we age, any wounds we sustain on our skin just don’t seem to heal as quickly. This leads to irritation, infection, and scarring. But once again, we can count on vitamin C to come to our rescue. 

 

Vitamin C paired with other skin-healthy ingredients can work to promote healing and limit the amount of damage your skin sustains. While you may still notice some scarring or leftover marks, they likely won’t be as severe as they could have been and will be easier to soothe and smooth.

 

How To Use Vitamin C Treatments For The Best Results

 

Spot Test. 

 

Before you start using a product that contains vitamin C, you should spot-treat a patch of skin that isn’t visible to ensure your skin can handle its powerful effects.

 

A good place to spot-test is on the skin on the back of your neck. Then move to the skin under your ear. Wait for at least 24 hours to see if you have any allergic reactions. If you have extremely sensitive skin, try a place that isn’t on your head, like on your forearm. 

 

If you do not have any negative side effects on your forearm, spot-test on a small area of your face. If any hives, redness, or rashes develop, do not try to use this product on your entire face.

 

Read The Instructions. 

 

Always read the directions on the product’s label. Typically, you will apply a serum one or two times a day, in the morning and at night. In general (but not always), your routine should look like this:

 

• • Cleanse your skin (double cleanse if you wear makeup)

 

• • Use a toner, if applicable

 

• • Apply your vitamin C serum

 

• • Moisturize your eye area

 

• • Use your complete facial moisturizer

 

Always be sure to thoroughly check out the ingredient list on your products. Ensure that they are high quality, all-natural skincare products that don’t include alcohols, which can dry out your skin. Check to see if niacinamide is listed, as this is something that can make vitamin C less effective.

 

Look for the following ingredients to be present in addition to vitamin C:

 

• • Ascorbyl Palmitate

 

• • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

 

• • L-ascorbic Acid

 

Check The Expiration Date. 

 

Check to ensure that your product is still valid. Be sure to check the expiration date and how long you should keep the product. It’s always a good rule of thumb to look at your product before using it to see if it is a different consistency or has changed colors. Vitamin C may be altered due to age and won’t be as beneficial.

 

Storing your vitamin C correctly is essential as well – keep it in a cool, dark place to keep the active ingredients in their most potent states. Try not to touch the applicator or the product directly with your fingers, as the oils and dirt on your hands cause issues. Instead, use a spatula or a spoon that has been cleaned properly and always close your product tightly.

 

It’s also best to be sure that the formula you use does not have water if you use straight vitamin C. The bottle should be airtight and have a darker tint to help keep the vitamin C shielded from direct light.

 

It’s no secret that if you want your vitamin C to be as effective as possible, you need to use it on a routine basis. Adding it to your regular skincare routine will help immensely. Use a serum in the morning to get some extra protection from the sun, and if you already have a sunscreen that you love, consider using it at night.

Are There Any Risks To Using Vitamin C? 

 

Vitamin C is a pretty safe ingredient for most people. As with anything, you definitely want to do that spot test before you do a full application, as this is the only way to know whether or not your skin will react positively. 

 

If your skin is particularly sensitive, you are more likely to have an adverse reaction to products that use L-ascorbic acid. If this is you, consider using a product that has magnesium ascorbyl phosphate because these products are gentler on the skin.

In Summary: Should You Add Vitamin C To Your Daily Routine? 

 

Do you need to add vitamin C to your daily skincare routine to have the best skin of your life? It depends on both you and your skin. 

 

There are people who vitamin C will greatly benefit and people who it won’t significantly impact. However, vitamin C is an extremely attractive option for those who have problems with skin texture, coloring, and sun damage. Just be sure that you are using all-natural products that are safe and only contain the best quality ingredients!

Sources:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/

 

https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/the-benefits-of-topical-vitamin-c/13462

 

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C