When Should You Use Vitamin C Serum
Though dermatologists recommended a few different Vitamin C serums, they do agree on a few things, like when you should apply Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine. Apply your Vitamin C before your moisturizer for the best results, says Annie Tevelin, green beauty expert and founder of SkinOwl. Let it dry for one minute before applying a moisturizer with SPF.
If the serum has turned brown, return it and cease any use of it. Absolutely do not use if it has turned brown.
– Susie Wang, cofounder of 100% PURE
Theres no real consensus among skincare experts on whether youre better off wearing your serum in the morning or at night. Think of it in the daytime as another layer to protect your skin again free radicals and UV, and at night as a way to undo oxidative damage from the day, says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse of Rapaport Dermatology. Whenever you wear your serum, Wang recommends beginning with a lemon water rise to prep the skin with a light dosage of Vitamin C to start.
Best Vitamin C Serums Available In India 2021
I and many other skincare experts tout vitamin C to be the most potent antioxidant that works to stimulate collagen production in your skin, They are known and loved for its anti-aging and brightening abilities.
So I will share just some things in the post thatll make you adulate vitamin C.
For starters, its rarely that beauty blogger and top dermatologists that Ive talked with rave about a single ingredient that works wonders for everyone. Still, its more accurate than ever in the case of Vitamin C.
You see, this solid antioxidant agent hits two birds with one stone. The first one is, it improves your overall health, and the second one is, it is the best ingredient for your skin.
So if you havent already added vitamin C to your grooming regimen, add one right away.
No matter your age, skin type, or complexion concerns, vitamin C should be an imperative part of your daily routine.
It even helps you deal with hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin levels. Not to mention, it protects against pollution and UV damage, as well as removes dark spots and aging signs.
Vitamin C is a hero ingredient but a bit tricky to formulate as it degrades with exposure to water, light, and oxygen.
And for vitamin C to be effective, youll need it in pure form, but its properties tell us that its challenging to stabilize.
Therefore, some vitamin C serum products work better and longer than others.
So without wasting more time, lets get into it.
What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin C
One significant benefit of using a vitamin C serum, especially during the day, is the sun protection it provides. While you cant replace your regular daily sunscreen with a vitamin C serum, it can be a helpful tool to help protect your skin against harmful effects from the sun. Vitamin C serums can help reduce the damage caused by the sun by:
- Reducing early cell death
- Reducing the release of inflammatory compounds
- Reducing damage from exposure to ultraviolet light
A reduction in premature aging is another advantage of adding vitamin C to your skincare routine. Vitamin C helps to reduce premature wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity. Vitamin C serums help to thicken the skin by adding collagen. Collagen-rich skin is less likely to wrinkle than thinner skin.
Vitamin C serums have also been shown to improve skin tone. It is often used to treat hyperpigmentation, a common skin condition that occurs when the skin produces too much melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color and can be responsible for the darker spots of hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure and hormone levels are typically linked to these darker areas. Vitamin C will lighten these dark spots without lightening the skin overall.
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Dont Use Vitamin C With Certain Other Ingredients
Vitamin C is generally pretty safe and well tolerated, but if you have sensitive skin, it might sting a little bitespecially if you use it in the same part of your routine as exfoliating scrubs or acids.
The one ingredient you should steer clear of when using vitamin C is benzoyl peroxide, which can oxidize the vitamin C and, therefore, make it less potent, Dr. Hogan says. You can still use your benzoyl peroxide products, just not in the same part of your routine as the vitamin C. Try using vitamin C in the morning and benzoyl peroxide in the evenings, or use them on different days.
How Do I Use A Vitamin C Serum
![Zone 365 Vitamin C Facial Serum for All Skin Types ...](https://www.vitaminproguide.com/wp-content/uploads/zone-365-vitamin-c-facial-serum-for-all-skin-types.jpeg)
To reap all the benefits of your vitamin C serum, it is essential to use it the right way. Apply a few drops of the serum after you wash your face, remembering a little goes a long way. Use it in the morning as your first layer of sun protection and to fight free radicals you encounter throughout the day. After letting it soak in, apply your moisturizer and sunscreen. When layering products, a good rule of thumb is to apply them thinnest to thickest. Because of its watery consistency, generally, a vitamin C serum will be applied first. You can also apply vitamin C at night to help skin repair itself while other restorative functions take place as you sleep.
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What The Heck Does Vitamin C Serum Do For Your Skin Anyway
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Could your morning glass of OJ give you clearer skin?
These days people are turning to Vitamin C to give their lackluster complexion a juicy glow. promise results for dry skin, oily skin, acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and even dark spots and sun damage. Those are some big promises for small bottles.
Before you head to the grocery store to stock up on orange juice and lemons, we put this trendy skin superfood to dermatologists and skincare experts for their take on the benefits of Vitamin C for your skin.
What Should You Look For In A Vitamin C Serum
Getting a high level of vitamin C to boost collagenwithout bringing on redness and irritationis the key to vitamin C products, Klein says. Her recommendation is to use a serum that has between 15 and 30 percent vitamin C. Vitamin C should be one of the first ingredients listed on the label, Jaliman adds.
Vitamin C is unstable and will degrade over time, losing its efficacy. Interacting with heat, light, and air speeds up the process, which is why you should look for serums in opaque, airtight bottles.
There are many different derivatives of vitamin C, including ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphateso if one derivative is too irritating, you can always try another. L-ascorbic acid is one popular form of vitamin C, and although its more unstable than other forms of vitamin C, its also less irritating. Look for vitamin C serums that contain ferulic acid, which helps stabilize the vitamin and creates an ideal pH level.
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How Often Should I Use Why
Well, as a matter of fact, there is no problem using vitamin C daily, but Id recommend using it in the morning.
There is no law against using the serum in the evening, but youll benefit the most during the day, as you are more likely to be exposed to UV radiation.
That said, vitamin C is rendered useless if it comes into contact with direct sunlight thus, you should wait till it gets completely absorbed into your skin before you head out.
There is no specific time limit as long as the serum gets absorbed, you are good to go.
Most of the dermatologists and skincare experts Ive talked with recommend adding the serum to your daily routine.
I would recommend using three to four drops over the face in the morning daily.
However, for those who have sensitive skin, Id say that you should start adding a low concentration serum to your skincare routine gradually once your skin is tolerant for a drop between days.
That said, if you feel more irritation and rashes, stop using it immediately.
For those who dont have any history with allergy or sensitive skin, you can apply vitamin C serum in both morning and evening.
Yeah, I know this is controversial to what I said above , but this only applies to those who have no allergic reactions or problems.
One research even recommends applying the serum every eight hours to get the pinnacle of protection, but thats a story for another day.
Surprising Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body.
The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, connective tissue and eyes.
Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist.
Hyaluronic acid has a variety of uses. Many people take it as a supplement, but its also used in topical serums, eye drops and injections.
Here are 7 scientifically backed benefits of taking hyaluronic acid.
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Notice If The Product Has Changed Color
Your vitamin C serum should be colorless or a light straw color, Dr. Hogan says. If it is oxidized, it becomes yellow or brown and is likely going to be less effective.
You can still use it if you want, but it wont do as much for your skin and, very rarely, oxidized vitamin C products can even cause slight yellow discoloration of the skin, Dr. Hogan says.
So consider getting rid of any vitamin C products that have dramatically changed color since you bought them. Especially if it is brown, I would say to toss it, Dr. Lamb says.
When And How Should You Use Vitamin C
Some active ingredients, like retinol, are recommended to be used at night due to their photosensitivity, but vitamin C products can be used both day and night. Vitamin Cs neutralizing effect on pesky free radicals makes it the perfect skincare ingredient to add to your daytime routine. If you have acne-prone skin, vitamin C works wonders on acne scarring and pigmentation. Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Ampoule Serum is a 10-day treatment containing 10% pure vitamin C that targets marks and sunspots. The super-vitamin also has anti-aging properties. Enter Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist Advanced Anti-Aging face moisturizer. This hydrating combination of vitamin C, phyto peptides and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water softens wrinkles, firms skin and targets skin discoloration while brightening the complexion. Simply apply any of these forms of vitamin C products all over your face in the morning under your daily sunscreen.
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Wash With A Gentle Cleanser
Cleansing is important for removing any skin care product or makeup that youve applied during the day, as well as natural skin oils, pollutants, and bacteria thats accumulated. It also means your skin care products will be able to enter your skin and work more effectively!
preserve your skin barrier and keep it resistant to dehydration and damage. Cleansers with a high pH like natural soaps are very harsh and can leave your skin vulnerable to irritation and infection. Cleansers with a low pH, such as this one by Cosrx , work to maintain optimal skin balance.
Another ingredient to avoid is sodium lauryl sulfate, as its very harsh. You also dont need to buy cleansers with fancy, active ingredients. Cleansers arent on your skin for very long. Those active ingredients are far more useful in later steps, like when you apply serum.
Can Speed Wound Healing
![Top 7 Vitamin C Serums for Face in 2018 Reviewed](https://www.vitaminproguide.com/wp-content/uploads/top-7-vitamin-c-serums-for-face-in-2018-reviewed.jpeg)
Hyaluronic acid also plays a key role in wound healing.
Its naturally present in the skin, but its concentrations increase when there is damage in need of repair.
Hyaluronic acid helps wounds heal faster by regulating inflammation levels and signaling the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area .
Applying it to skin wounds has been shown to reduce the size of wounds and decrease pain faster than a placebo or no treatment at all .
Hyaluronic acid also has antibacterial properties, so it can help reduce the risk of infection when applied directly to open wounds .
Whats more, its effective at combating gum disease, speeding up healing after tooth surgery and eliminating ulcers when used topically in the mouth .
While the research on hyaluronic acid serums and gels is promising, there has been no research to determine whether hyaluronic acid supplements can provide the same benefits.
However, since oral supplements boost the levels of hyaluronic acid found in the skin, its reasonable to suspect they may provide some benefit.
Summary
Applying hyaluronic acid directly to an open wound can help speed up the recovery process. Its unknown whether supplementing with it would have the same effect.
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Aids In Fading Hyperpigmentation
Have melanin levels been annoying you lately? Look no more get a vitamin C serum.
Hyperpigmentation such as sunspots, melasma, and age spots can happen to areas where acne has been healed, or your melanin levels have increased drastically.
Not to mention, but it also offers a smooth and even-toned complexion and can reduce dark spots.
Shields Against Harmful Sun Damage
Free radicals are what lead to sun damage, and these atoms are missing electrons.
And so they look for other atoms from where they can get their electrons which as a result can do profound damage to your skin.
Well, to counter this, antioxidants exist, and they satisfy their quest for electrons by giving them one and rendering them harmless.
As a result, you get healthy skin that is protected by these radicals.
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What Does Vitamin C Serum Do For Your Skin
Vitamin C serums are acidic, which means they slough away dead cells from the skins surface leaving it brighter and smoother. This in turn speeds up new cell regeneration, says Susie Wang, cofounder of 100% PURE. Vitamin C is highly acidic and very bitter, so when applied to the skin, the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin, Wang told HuffPost. Collagen is the protein fibers that make skin plump and prevent sagging elastin are also protein fibers that help skin bounce back.
Vitamin Cs anti-aging, damage-repairing and UV-protecting powers make it a Holy Grail ingredient.
– Sarah Lee, cofounder of Glow Recipe
One of Vitamin Cs biggest uses is for reducing scars, spots and other hyperpigmentation, says dermatologist Melanie Palm. Vitamin C is a well-known brightening agent, as it interferes with abnormal pigmentation through tyrosinase inhibition of the melanin pigment pathway. What does that mean in laymans terms? It is used topically to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation, Palm says.
Fact: Your Skin Needs Topical Vitamin C
Just as Vitamin C is an essential part of your diet, it is also an important step in your skincare routine. The human body does not produce its own Vitamin C but relies on obtaining it through nutritional and topical applications.II Daily use of a balanced and stabilized Vitamin C facial serum will ensure that your skin soaks up all of the perks of this powerful ingredient.
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Eat Your Fruits And Vegetables
Its not all about lotions and serums. The vitamin C in food helps promote healthy skin, too. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, kiwis and strawberries are all packed with the stuff.
Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C and Skin Health.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Hyperpigmentation.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications.
Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School: Skin Serum: What it Can and Cant do.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Dietary Nutrient Intakes and Skin-aging Appearance Among Middle-aged American Women.
Cedars-Sinai: Collagen for Your Skin: Healthy or Hype?
Nutrients: The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.
Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School: Finding the Right Serum for Your Skin.
Cleveland Clinic: Understanding the Ingredients in Skin Care Products.
Mayo Clinic: Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide to Younger Looking Skin.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
How To Use A Vitamin C Serum
You will notice that most of the serum bottles are dark. This is done on purpose to protect the raw properties of Vitamin C. When exposed to light or air, the dark glass bottles help it retain its stability and efficacy.
Before applying the serum, you need to wash your face with a good facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel. Then, just add a few drops of the vitamin C serum on your face. Moreover, as a rule of thumb, serums should be layered and used under your moisturizer for more effectiveness.
If you are new to using a vitamin C serum on your skin and are a little skeptical, you might want to start slowly. Since it is already pretty potent, a few drops for each application will typically suffice. You can start by incorporating a low concentration vitamin C serum like the Advanced Vitamin C Serum Formula in your skincare regimen and work your way up as your skin becomes more accustomed to it.
Make sure to apply the serum every morning. It will act as the first layer of protection for your skin against the sun.
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