Whether you are shaping a new skincare routine for yourself or you want to level your ongoing skin game a bit up, Vitamin C serum hits the spot.
Thanks to pollutants, free radicals, and those cruel sun rays; our skin becomes more vulnerable to oxidative stress, pigmentation, inflammation, breakouts and other major problems as it ages.
Vitamin C serves as a compelling antioxidant and a powerful fighter against pigmentation and inflammation. Grasping onto these problems, it leaves behind soft and plump skin.
Intake of vitamin C through ingestion doesn't ensure its adequate availability to the skin. That's why you have to apply it topically on the skin in a serum form.
You can have enhanced benefits of vitamin C serum by using it with hyaluronic acid serum.
Benefits of Using Vitamin C Serum:-
Following are some major advantages of using Vitamin C serum:
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Provides hydration to the skin
Vitamin C serum controls and halts transepidermal water loss from the skin and helps it to stay hydrated. Hydrated skin holds better resilience towards acne and dullness and it appears supple and brighter.
To keep your skin even more hydrated, you can use hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serum together.
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Suppresses melanin production hence obstructing pigmentation
Melanin is the substance responsible for skin color in the human body. Vitamin C serum impedes melanin production in skin and thus, it causes pigmentation and hyper-pigmentation to fade.
A 2019 research told us that using a serum containing ferulic acid, Deschampsia Antartica extract, and vitamin C, reduced dark spots and oxidative stress in women.
When pigmentation and spots are clear, your skin will look brighter and happier.
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Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
Timeless Vitamin C serum amplifies collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in skin that accounts for its strength.
Good amounts of collagen help prevent wrinkles and inflammation. Inflammation further aids in resistance against acne, hence making vitamin C serum effective for acne-prone skin.
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Serves as an antioxidant
Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner states that "Vitamin C is perhaps the most potent topical antioxidant we have.
An antioxidant is a substance that prevents damage from free radicals. Free radicals interrupt the collagen production in the skin causing wrinkles, saggy skin, fine lines, and dark spots.
When applied to the skin, Vitamin C neutralizes any damage resulting from free radicals.
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Omits redness and helps in an even skin tone
The ability of Vitamin C serum to inhibit inflammation makes it effective against redness.
As it tackles wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, and inflammation, it helps get an even complexion and fresh look.
How to find a Best Vitamin C serum:-
The maximum penetration of vitamin C occurs in the form of L-ascorbic acid. Other effective derivatives include ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. You should look out for these potent forms while purchasing a vitamin C serum.
Another thing that matters is the concentration of vitamin C in the serum. It ranges from 10% to 20%. The efficiency of serum increases with the concentration of vitamin C, this trend continues till 20% like 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum. You can start with a less concentrated serum to avoid any side effects like Timeless 10% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum. But you have to use a blend with at least 8% to avail the promised benefits. Later on, you can move to more concentrated products gradually until your requirement meets.
An additional property that you can look for, to have the best Vitamin C serum for you, is the pH of the product. If you have normal skin, opt for a pH of 3.5 which allows optimal absorption. Choose a more alkaline pH say 5 to 6 if you have sensitive skin.
It's smarter to use vitamin C serum with effective combinations that best rectify your skin problems. Wexler believes vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic acid, vitamin B, and hyaluronic acid.
A Feb 2022 research proved that a serum containing L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and hyaluronic acid Serum along with some other ingredients helped in improved protection against pollution-induced pigmentation and aging signs in human skin. These effects were observed visible after 90 days of usage.
The last property you need to ensure is that the serum you are going to purchase is in a tinted glass bottle with an appropriate applier.
An appropriate way to use vitamin C serum:-
The accurate sequence of incorporating the use of vitamin C serum in your skincare routine is the following:-
Cleanser→→→Toner (optional)→→→Vitamin C serum→→→Moisturizer
Remember you always have to apply from a thinner product to a thicker one. Once you cleanse your face and are done applying toner, gently press the serum against the skin. Apply your moisturizer afterward. Apply it once or twice a day.
You can use vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid serum combined by simply applying the serums one after the other; again following the rule of thinner to thicker.
It increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun so SPF is a must. When it is used underneath the sunscreen of a considerable SPF, it protects the skin even better than sunscreen used alone.
Don't forget to do a patch test beforehand.
To sum up, it may not be a piece of cake to master the optimal use of Vitamin C best serum for glowing skin but you can cautiously adjust its use that best suits your skin.