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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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