Want clear and brighter skin? Vitamin C is the answer. Vitamin C is the most popular ingredient in skincare serums. Vitamin C plays a key role in skin health by strengthening the skin and improving skin brightness. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against skin damage from the free radical.
There are several skincare products with different types of vitamin C products available in the market. But which one is right for your skin? In this blog, we will understand how to choose the right vitamin C for your skincare routine and how to use vitamin C serum for brighter and youthful skin.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that is found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and strawberries. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant properties that help you to improve your immunity, boost collagen production and reduce skin pigmentation. Because vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin it does not stay in the body hence vitamin C supplementation is essential to enjoy its benefits.
Why Your Skin Loves Vitamin C?
Here are some vitamin C benefits for the skin:
· Helps with Skin Brightening and Even Toned Skin
Vitamin C helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots by inhibiting the production of melanin, which is responsible for skin colour. It blocks an enzyme called tyrosine which is responsible for melanin synthesis. This helps to prevent the formation of new dark spots and promotes a more even skin tone.
· Helps to Provide Antioxidant Benefits
The antioxidant property of vitamin C helps to prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In simple terms vitamin C neutralises these free radicals by giving them an electron. Vitamin C also helps to protect against sun damage.
· Helps to Boost Collagen Production
Collagen is the most important type of protein for the skin. Collagens provide structure to the skin, maintain skin elasticity and flexibility. Collagen deficiency can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C is responsible for collagen production in the body. Vitamin C acts as a co factor in collagen production. It is also responsible for anti-ageing benefits (2).
· Helps to Reduce Eye Circles
Vitamin C helps smooth out fine lines by plumping and hydrating the under-eye area. A study found that three treatments for dark circles, vitamin C therapy resulted in a significant improvement in the pigmentation of under-eye circles. The skin under your eyes is thin and sensitive, hence choose products specifically designed for the under-eye area.
How to Choose the Right Vitamin C Product for Your Skin Type?
· Oily and Acne prone Skin
Look for lighter, non-comedogenic formulas, such as water-based serums with a stable form like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.
· Dry Skin
Choose vitamin C products with added hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol or glycerin.
· Sensitive Skin
Choose a more stable and gentle form like Ascorbyl Glucoside or Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. Also, choose a lower concentration to avoid irritation.
· Ageing Skin
Go for stronger forms like Ascorbic Acid or Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which target fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity.
· Combination Skin
A balanced Vitamin C serum with moderate concentration and additional skin-benefiting ingredients like collagen peptides and retinol can work well.
What are the Key Factors While Choosing Vitamin C Products?
· Type of Vitamin C
There are multiple types of vitamin C that are present in vitamin C supplements. The most common types of vitamin C include ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl glucoside and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.
Ascorbic acid is the most popular form of vitamin C, but it is most unstable as well. It can be irritating for the skin. Choose a supplement or a serum that contains ascorbyl glucoside, which is a stable option and is good for brightening and safe for sensitive skin types.
· Concentration
Concentration is also a key factor in choosing the right vitamin C serum. Remember more isn’t always better. A good vitamin C serum should contain 5% - 10% vitamin C. If you are a beginner or have sensitive skin, then start lower and gradually increase the concentration. The standard concentration is 10% for all types of skin.
· Additional Ingredients
If you want a comprehensive product for your skincare, then you need more than vitamin C. Look for added ingredients like glutathione, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
· pH
Vitamin C works best at a low pH of around 3 to 3.5 which is considered an acidic pH. Look for a formulation that maintains this level for optimal absorption.
· Packaging
Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air. Choose products in opaque, air-tight packaging (e.g., dark glass bottles) to preserve their potency.
What is the Best Time to Use Vitamin C Serum?
The best time to use vitamin C is after cleansing and before moisturising. Use it in the morning, as it helps protect the skin from daily environmental stressors. Incorporate vitamin C along with sunscreen in your skincare routine.
Conclusion
We hope this blog has helped you understand how to choose the right type of vitamin C for your skin. Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in many skincare serums but choosing the right serum for your skin is crucial. Factors like type of vitamin C, concentration, formulation and other added ingredients are important before choosing any vitamin C Serum. Choose the best vitamin C serum for your skin and get clearer, brighter and younger looking skin.
FAQs
1. How to choose the right vitamin C product?
To choose the right vitamin C product consider the following things like type of vitamin C, concentration, formulation and your skin type.
2. How do I fit vitamin C into my skin care routine?
The right time to use a vitamin C serum in your skincare routine is after cleansing and before moisturising.
3. What is the best form of vitamin C in skincare?
The best form of vitamin C in skincare is ascorbyl glucoside.
4. Which vitamin C is best for skin brightening?
Ascorbyl glucoside is the best type of vitamin C for skin brightening.