Protect. Repair. Enhance.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant (meaning it stops/holds off environmental and sun damage to cells.) It works to stimulate collagen production in your skin. It combats fine lines and brightens your complexion.
Vitamin C protects your skin against pollution and other free radicals.
Are all Vitamin C serums equal?
The answer to that is a simple…. No.
To start off with; never put citrus slices on your face…. It might damage your skin.
Available vitamin C serums usually contain vitamin C in forms such as
- L-ascorbic acid
- Ascorbyl-6-palmitate
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
L-ascorbic acid has been said to be the MOST biologically active (meaning, its effect on living matter).
My ideal Vitamin C serums has the following characteristics
- 10%-20% L-ascorbic acid. More than 20% will irritate the skin and does not have additional benefits.
- Vitamin E + Ferulic acid
- Airtight packaging
- Dark/Tinted GLASS bottle
Vitamin E stabilizes vitamin C and also makes vitamin C less irritating to the skin, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Ferulic Acid helps lower the pH level of vitamin C to below 3.5 percent; to enable your skin to easily absorb the product.
Exposure to air, light, and heat can degrade your serum. Not a bad idea to store products in the refrigerator.
When should the serum be applied?
Morning and/or night depending on the strength of your product and what your skin can tolerate.
Moisturise after Vitamin C application as it seals in the serum.
UV light lowers the skin’s vitamin C levels and topical vitamin C is best applied after exposure to UV light and not prior.
Vitamin C is not a substitute for sunscreen so always wear your sunscreen together with topical Vitamin C.
A general rule of thumb is to apply the products of your skincare routine from least viscous to thickest. Serums- Moisturiser-SPF.