When you shop for your skincare products, you’ll notice there are so many key ingredients out there. How do we know which ones we really need? Minerals, Essential Oils, Vitamins… where do we even begin?
Today, we want to focus on one of the key ingredients which is a real beneficial one due to its many fantastic properties. Introducing Vitamin C, and why your skin can really benefit from this potent vitamin.
The beauty industry has long known that Vitamin C — taken internally in food and used externally in creams — is vital for good skin. The nutrient helps form collagen and elastin, essential for plumping up the skin and keeping it taunt and firm. It also acts as an antioxidant to protect us from the harsh effects of the environment, such as UV rays, pollution and a bad diet. The good news is you don’t have to force down copious amounts of citrus fruits to give your skin a good dose Vitamin C! Lets break it down by concern and see why exactly we need it…
- ANTI-AGEING
Although a lot of products claim differently, many skincare products contain very low concentrations of antioxidants that are not well absorbed by the skin.There are three main antioxidants proven to decrease the effect of the environment on the skin and prevent further damage: Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. Vitamin C prevents agents called free radicals from damaging cells in the body and the skin, which speeds up the aging process. Topical Vitamin C with high levels and effective formulations are much more easily absorbed in the skin, effectively preventing ageing skin.
- SKIN BRIGHTENING
We often associate Vitamin C with health, vitality and brightening, which it is exactly what it is all about. The absorbic acid in Vitamin C prevents the weakening of collagen, ensuring the skin is as fresh and soft as possible. It also helps to heal wounds and reduces capillary permeability, slowing down the process of aging and overall maintaining brighter, lighter skin. To give your skin that added glow and brightened appearance, good quality topical creams are ideal. Our very favorite here at SkinStore is the Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Creme, which has in its own right built up a loyal, cult following.
Our Vitamin C Intensive face Cream not only brings instant radiance from the 15% Stay C (a stable form of C) but also gets a powerful antioxidant boost from combining it with the ‘Immortal’ Reishi Mushroom, for extra intensive skin – Kat Burki
Praised from the likes of Marie Claire and In Haute Pursuit, this ultra hydrating cream is light in texture and packed with antioxidants, such as wild reishi mushroom and green tea. The brightening cream features a potent dose of vitamin C (15% rather than the usual 5%) which boosts collagen production, sloughs away dull cells, and repairs any cell damage for a more radiant finish.
- AGE SPOT AND SUN DAMAGE REDUCTION
Similar to the way that Vitamin C brightens dull skin, it also lightens up age spots and discoloration – which is essentially sun damage. Vitamin C uses its powerful antioxidant properties to reduce the number of sunburned cells, as well as reverse age-related damage to skin. Whilst it’s not a replacement for sunscreen, Vitamin C protects against and may repair UV damage (like discoloration and fine lines). Which brings us onto our next point… - INCREASES SUNSCREEN EFFECTIVENESS
As mentioned above, Vitamin C doesn’t replace your usual sunscreen, but when applied topically it absorbs quickly and kicks in your skins defense mechanism. At the same time, it allows your skin to produce Vitamin D from the sun, unlike commercial sunscreens, which block this essential process. Overall, it offers excellent added protection as well as a recovery solution for environmentally damaged and UV damaged skin.
- HEALS WOUNDS
Vitamic C is brilliant for clearing dark spots and scars on your body, due to its ability to speed up cell renewal. Vitamin C heals old marks, wounds amd scars by gradually supplying the skin with an abundance of collagen. This doesn’t just aid in reducing the appearance of scars and wounds, but it also helps create a filler effect for indented acne scars, thus plumping up the skin.
The form of Vitamin C in topical creams can be called numerous names. To better understand, here are some of the most common forms you can expect to find on ingredient lists:
- L-Ascorbic Acid
This is Vitamin C’s most potent form. Unfortunately, because ascorbic acid is less stable and more irritating, it’s not what most companies use in their serums. - Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
This derivative is less irritating but more stable than ascorbic acid. As such, it’s best suited for people with sensitive skin. - Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
This form is highly stable. It can readily do the conversion of Vitamin C on the skin. Aside from this, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide is also water soluble. - Ascorbic Palmitate
This is one of the most common derivative of Vitamin C you’ll find in skin care products that’s fat soluble. It’s non-irritating but highly effective in protecting your skin against free radical damage. - Ascorbic Glucosamine
It’s another water-soluble derivative of the vitamin. More often, you’ll find this derivative used as a skin whitening agent with antioxidant properties.
TOP RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
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Buy now with Skinstore US Kat Burki Vitamic C Essential Face Cream
Buy now with free deliveryAs mentioned before, this iconic cream has featured in various press with glowing reports. Lghtweight and luxurious, it glides onto skin and provides deep nourishment to help support natural collagen production while brightening, smoothing and firming the skin. Strengthened with 15% Vitamin C, it calms and heals while delivering powerful benefits and protecting against free radical damage. Wild Reishi mushrooms and an Ocean Mineral Complex brightens, calms and heals.
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Buy now with Skinstore US Dr Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Buy now with free deliveryHydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum combines three forms of Vitamin C with a powerful peptide to provide maximum brightening and anti-aging benefits. This high-performance serum delivers it’s 18% Vitamin C Complex to each layer of the skin, improving sun damage, increasing luminosity and building collagen for a visibly firmer more youthful appearance.
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Buy now with Skinstore US Sothys Noctuelle with AHA and Vitamin C
Buy now with free deliveryNoctuelle is a light night cream that leaves the skin extremely soft. Thanks to the 8 % AHA complex and Vitamin C , the complexion is bright, exfoliated and revitalized. The AHA complex also provides hydration and diminishes the first external signs of aging. Great for all skin types. Apply at night, and let it sink in and work it’s magic.
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Buy now with Skinstore US Murad Environmental Shield Essential
Buy now with free deliveryShield and restore environmentally stressed skin with Murad’s patented Skin Repair System – packed with potent Vitamin C. It works to improve radiance, firmness and elasticity while protecting skin from sun and free radical damage. Protects and strengthens skin against environmental aging. Effectively Blocks UVA/UVB rays.
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Buy now with Skinstore US Paula's Choice Resist Vitamin C Spot Treatment
Buy now with free deliveryIf we were to judge on appearance, this shiny tube would get our vote. Luckily, it works as well as it looks! This innovative spot treatment combines 25% stabilized Vitamin C in a silky, line-smoothing texture. A great treatment to apply directly onto stubborn spots, sun damage and brown spots. For best results, use at least 3 times per week.
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Buy now with Skinstore US Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil
Buy now with free deliveryThis powerful 100% concentrated Rose Hips Oil is packed with potent antioxidants and essential fatty acids to reveal skin’s youthful state. Great for brightening the skin and revealing radiance, this oil is completely unfiltered and unprocessed to maintain the highest potency of active Vitamin A, Vitamin C and fatty acids. It’s rich citrus scent makes it enjoyable to use, and although it has an oily texture, it quickly absorbs into skin and delivers fast results.
With our extensive range of Vitamin C infused skincare products, you’ll soon be enjoying a smoother, clearer and brighter complexion!
