Vitamin C serums and products are popping up all over, but what’s the actual unfiltered scoop? It’s easy to get caught up in the marketing ploy benefit touts like reducing hyperpigmentation and brighter skin, but it may or may not be a solution for you depending on your current skincare routines. The following 4 points will help steer you in the right direction for your skin!
Why Vitamin C Serums Can Help Your Skin
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure. It also inhibits melanin production, which helps reduce the visibility of dark spots. It’s also commonly used to promote collagen synthesis. In real-life terms, it means it helps support the production of it in your body by interacting with amino acids. How does this shake out on the results side? While it won’t do the heavy lifting on wrinkles like retinol, it’s a great way to prevent future damage/wrinkles if used correctly, since it promotes collagen production. Some of the results include a brighter and more even complexion. It’s a must for fighting hyperpigmentation and promoting even skin tone!
When To Use A Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serums or other products containing it should ideally be used at night when your body is going through the recovery process, especially with serums of higher concentrations. It’s almost like taking a muscle recovery drink before bed! It can also help protect your skin from free radicals outdoors like sun exposure, pollution, smoke, etc if used during the day. That said, it’s also safe for morning use (twice a day). Morning use has its benefits too since it protects the skin against free radicals. These free radicals can cause aging. I personally use it in the morning since I often use a highly concentrated retinol serum every night. I personally get irritated if I layer the two. If you are going to use it during the day, make sure your skin is acclimated to it. Always use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way. A half pea-sized drop is sufficient for your face, as with most serums. Just like vitamins, taking more won’t do anything, as it will be removed from your body as waste. Remember: PEA sized amount, yo!
Why It Can Be Kept In The Fridge
Here’s the scoop: your skincare doesn’t need the fridge, but it can help. I love having cold sheet masks and rollers, but they are not the reason I got a skin fridge a few years ago. I got it to protect certain serums and products I use more sparingly. Sure, vitamin C has antioxidant properties, but only when you eat food that contains it. On the skin, it’s the opposite, meaning that it could oxidize and spoil if not cared for depending on the formulation. This is why it can help being stored in a generally cooler environment, and why I screw on my caps so tight for these types of serums. It’s also best to apply it immediately and let it seep in as quickly as possible to avoid this. You’ve likely seen the oxidation process on older serums that turn brown. Throw it away at that point, as it won’t be as effective, and could cause irritation depending on the formula. I learned this from one of my estheticians back home in California!
Who It’s Not For
Anyone under the age of 25, according to my estheticians. Why? Our bodies start decreasing collagen production after that age. Using it too early means you may not see obvious results because your body may not need it just yet. Think of it like actual vitamins! You wouldn’t take the same vitamins as your parents, right? Taking vitamins you don’t need means your body will dispose of them as waste. The same goes for vitamin C serums. If you are not deficient in vitamin C, you won’t really reap the collagen-boosting benefits. This is why skincare marketing can be so problematic. Just because it’s trending doesn’t mean you NEED it. Conversely, for my fellow 30-somethings and up: if you feel you are plateauing on results, it’s likely because your skin has reached its optimal state of brightness/etc, so results will be harder to see after continued use, not that you are immune to it. I highly suggest talking to your doctor or esthetician to see if you really need it/what concentration is best for you before adding it to your routine.
Vitamin C Products For Beginners
Vitamin C Products For Seasoned Skincare Users
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