Vitamin C and Skin Health
It doesn’t get much better than topical vitamin C when it comes to transforming the look and health of your skin. If you’re not already using it, here’s why you need to start now.
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“Vitamin C supports overall skin health and prevents signs of aging,” says Heather Wilson, a licensed esthetician and director of brand development at InstaNatural, a skin care company that combines activated forms of vitamin C with vitamin C-rich botanicals in it products.
How Does Vitamin C Work?
Research shows that it helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity by supporting construction of collagen, the skin’s primary building block. Vitamin C has also been shown to increase skin brightness by reducing the enzymes that cause dark spots and blotches. (See box for even more reasons to shower your skin in vitamin C.)
Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C, and even if you ingest high doses, only a small fraction will be biologically available and active in the skin. That’s why it’s so important to make topical vitamin C part of your skin care routine.
“While all vitamin C products offer skin benefits,” Wilson says, “serums and moisturizers pack the biggest punch. They’re generally the most concentrated and are left on the skin, not rinsed off. And don’t stop at vitamin C—a product’s efficacy is truly based on the complete composition of ingredients. Look for formulas that are boosted with other ingredients such as ferulic acid or hyaluronic acid, as well as nourishing botanicals and extracts that are also known to support and defend against aggressors and signs of aging.”
6 Ways Vitamin C Works Its Magic
- Helps protect skin from UV damage
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Brightens skin
- Reduces hyperpigmentation
- Strengthens the skin’s ability to repair itself
- Boosts the skin’s collagen production
Vitamin C Beauty Products
1. Repair the effects of UV exposure
With DeVita Luxe C Serum. High-potency (17%) vitamin C in this quick-absorbing serum supports skin’s collagen production for firmer and brighter skin. Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and green tea keep skin hydrated and calm inflammation. Squalene from sugarcane prevents moisture loss and restores skin suppleness. Oils of jojoba, pumpkin, watermelon, lemon, orange, meadowfoam, and shea nourish skin.
2. Defend your skin
With Derma E Vitamin C Renewing Moisturizer. Probiotics and anti-oxidant-rich rooibos and green teas moisturize skin, guard against environmental stressors, and work together with vitamin C’s collagen-boosting power to smooth and firm skin. Use this lightweight cream day and night.
Did You Know?
Rooibos isn’t technically tea, but a brew made from the South African Aspalathus linearis plant. True tea comes only from the Camellia sinensis plant.
3. Refine the tone and texture of your skin
With Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Vinifera Replenishing Oil. Vitamin C and fruit stem cells are infused into resveratrol-rich grape seed oil to brighten skin tone. Organic sunflower seed and jojoba seed oils smooth and soften skin. Organic pomegranate seed oil and vitamin E provide antioxidant protection. This fast-absorbing facial oil can multitask as a makeup primer.
4. Two is better than one
With Reviva Labs Dual Source Vitamin C Serum. This skin-brightening serum boasts two different vitamin C extracts: sodium ascorbate and aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate. You get a concentrated infusion of vitamin C that targets age spots. It also helps promote collagen synthesis and corrects existing environmental skin damage.
5. Enhance your favorite serum or moisturizer
With Hyalogic Vitamin C+ Beauty Boost Powder. In addition to the antioxidant power of vitamin C, panthenol (pro vitamin B) and aloe vera hydrate and soothe skin, arginine protects skin from free radicals and regenerates skin cells, and glutathione brightens skin and evens skin tone. In the palm of your hand, mix one scoop of powder with any serum or moisturizer to intensify skin benefits and protection.
6. Restore your skin while you wash
With MyChelle Dermaceuticals Perfect C Cleansing Oil. This light oil transforms to a creamy cleansing lather that illuminates and hydrates skin. In addition to the vitamin C, antioxidant tamanu oil repairs sun damage and hydrates, and omega-rich baobab oil softens, moisturizes, and tightens skin.
Try it!
MyChelle Dermaceuticals is giving away 25 bottles of Perfect C Cleansing Oil (thanks, MyChelle!). To enter for your chance to win, email your name and address to community@frenchtransit.com. Please put “BN Perfect C” in the subject line. Good luck!
