I always reach for a high dose of Vitamin C if I’m feeling under the weather and it is certainly well documented that it is a great supplement to consume for immunity and health. But does that translate into being good for your skin? I was very skeptical when I first started exploring it, but the research convinced me that this vitamin really is a wonder ingredient in skincare. According to New York dermatologist Dr Patrica Wexler, putting Vitamin C on your skin (“applying topically”) is 20 times more potent than taking it orally (as quoted on CNN.com), so what does it actually do?
Here’s what it does:
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Promotes collagen production. Since collagen is what holds the skin together, keeping it firm and youthful, helping to produce more of collagen is a real boost to diminishing fine lines and thickening the dermis.
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Evens skin tone. Vitamin C inhibits melanin production, this helps to lighten age spots (hyperpigmentation) and even out skin tone and generally promote a more radiant look. But don’t use it as a sun protection product – wearing SPF is still really important and one of the most important anti-aging steps you can take.
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Protects skin from damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is well known as an antioxidant which means it fights the free radicals that are what causes skin damage from pollution and sun exposure. Encourages healthy cell turnover and regeneration
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Encourages healthy cell turnover and regeneration. This is what slows down as we age, so speeding up cell turnover helps to reveal the plumper cells underneath and so give you a more youthful glow.
What to look for:
Many skincare products will use L-Ascorbic Acid which is a good Vitamin C and has the benefits described above. However, it is water soluble and very unstable – oxidizes very quickly. In Bella Virtu Organics Vitamin C Serum we use Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. This is an oil-based form of vitamin C which is much more stable and more importantly is able to go deeper into the layers of the skin. It is converted by the body into L-Ascorbic Acid right where it needs to do its job.
How to use a Vitamin C Serum:
Use after cleansing (and toning if you use toner) but before moisturizing or applying sunscreen. As a rule of thumb always use the thinner (runnier) products before thicker (more viscous) products. The oil will absorb deep into the skin, and then if you feel you still need a moisturizer then that will seal the skin and hold in the hydration.
I hope this has helped you understand the benefits of Vitamin C for your skin, and that you enjoy using Bella Virtu Vitamin C Serum. Let me know!
Sources & interesting articles:
https://editorial.victoriahealth.com/is-tetrahexyldecyl-ascorbate-the-best-vitamin-c-serum
https://us.cnn.com/2019/10/15/cnn-underscored/vitamin-c-benefits-for-skin/index.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/4-best-vitamins-for-skin
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L7P4szgjtE
