Vitamin C: How Skin Gets the Most Out of it
It’s no secret that vitamin C is alongside some of the most beneficial nutrients for the body and skin. When using vitamin C or products that highlight it as a main ingredient how you use the product as well as the quality you select can optimize its performance. Understanding a few shortcuts you can take when selecting a brand coupled with using techniques that allow it to perform its best you can make sure your skin is getting the most out of your vitamin C.
Benefits and What to Look Out For
By stimulating collagen production and assisting with tissue development it’s no wonder vitamin C is one of the ultimate ingredients to include in your skincare routine. It is considered an ascorbic acid that serves the body via its antioxidant qualities by helping certain enzymes perform their best for optimal immune support and development. Identifying what a product promises vs what is actually reflected in its performance and label can seem intimidating, luckily there are only three factors you need to look out for, concentration level, form, and presence of vitamin E.
Level, Form and Vitamin E
For the typical vitamin C-focused product the concentration will vary but should exist anywhere between 10 to 20 percent. When reading the ingredient list for a vitamin C meant for more oily skin, look for a higher percentage and L-ascorbic acid. As far as looking for a more hydrating vitamin C for drier skin you may want to look for a lower percentage and ascorbic palmitate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Lastly, check the presence of vitamin E or ferulic acid. It complements the performance of vitamin C and allows it to perform optimally by acting as a stabilizer.
Best Practices for vitamin C Skincare
Because vitamin C is sensitive to light by storing your vitamin c products in darker spaces you may find that your products stay fresher and active longer. By limiting its opportunity to oxidize, altering its original form, the product is supported in maintaining its potency. When choosing to incorporate vitamin C into your day or night skincare routine it tends to perform its best when used in the morning. Wearing it throughout the day if fine as long as it’s absorbed before having any diredt exposed to the sun.
When layering products, a vitamin C serum is best after a cleanser or toner and before a moisturizer. Products that contain benzoyl peroxide, a retinoid, or retinol should be used with caution when paring. To simplify this, it’s best to allow your vitamin C to fully absorb before layering acne clearing or anti-aging products or skip them for another day.
My favorite way to incorporate vitamin C is to double up. Using a vitamin c serum followed by a vitamin C-focused moisturizer.
