Vitamin C is a favorite ingredient in the beauty industry, often recommended by dermatologists thanks to its numerous benefits to the skin. In fact, you can use it with any skin type since it does not lead to the side effects that come with other active ingredients.
Vitamin C also referred to as ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid is a water-soluble sugar acid. Although plants and several animals can produce it by themselves, humans lack such capabilities since they do not have the necessary enzyme. For that reason, you can only get it from external sources.
How Vitamin C Benefits your Skin
“Free radicals are responsible for skin wrinkling and undesired pigmentation,” states Nikki Donovan, licensed medical aesthetician at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. These molecules are unstable, and in their quest to stabilize, they steal electrons from healthy skin cells, thereby causing damage. Free radicals are naturally produced in the skin, and our bodies have natural defense mechanisms to stop any damage. The problem occurs when the free radical load exceeds our ability to neutralize them. Aging, sun exposure, pollution, and stress are all factors that lead to an unhealthy tilt in the balance towards excess free radical formation and damage.
We can help our skin deal with these free radicals via the application of skincare products with antioxidants. In particular, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and provides the free radicals with the electron they need so they don’t get it from skin’ atoms. Vitamin C brightens and brings uniformity to the overall skin complexion leaving you with replenished, revitalized and healthier skin.
Additionally, Vitamin C protects your skin from harmful UVB sun rays. “Vitamin C serums and lotions reduce the formation of new free radicals when you expose the skin to the sun for a long period,” Donovan notes. When you combine it with sunscreen, it works excellently for your skin.
Incorporating Vitamin C Products in your Skin Care Routine
Usually, Vitamin C is found in serums, rather than lotions or creams, since serums keep this finicky molecule more stable and at a higher concentration. “As an ingredient that protects against damage, we recommend that Vitamin C products are applied in the morning, right after cleansing the skin,” suggests Donovan. Additional skincare products, including sunscreen, should be applied as subsequent steps.
We Can Help
If you still have more questions regarding how Vitamin C or Antioxidant fit in your regimen, contact Sanova Dermatology today. Our expert dermatologists will tailor a routine that suits you best.
