Vitamin C Serum: 6 Benefits and Usage Guide
What Is Vitamin C Serum?
Vitamin C serum is a skincare product that’s packed with vitamin C. Although you’re likely getting vitamin C in your diet, your skin is mostly missing out. Using a serum is one of the best ways to deliver the benefits to your skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it helps prevent the forming of free radicals, which break down collagen and elastin. It’s also known for its firming and brightening properties.
Vitamin C serum has the consistency of a liquid or gel and is applied topically to the skin. If you’re dealing with skin issues like photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, or an uneven skin tone, it’s time to add vitamin C serum into your routine.
What Is Vitamin C Serum Used For?
Vitamin C is naturally present in the skin, where it boosts collagen production and antioxidant levels. It helps maintain the skin’s barrier, which keeps irritants out of your skin and aids in water retention for proper skin hydration. Applying vitamin C topically in a serum breaks down free radicals and improves aging skin. It also boosts collagen and elastin synthesis, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, help reduce inflammation, and brighten your complexion.
6 Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
1. Protects Skin from Damage
Our skin is constantly effected by our environment, including air pollution and sun exposure, along with general aging. These things can all lead to free radicals, which result in a dull, lack lustre complexion. Antioxidants such as vitamin C can protect your skin from free radicals by lending them electrons to bind to instead. Using vitamin C serum can result in less skin damage and healthier looking skin.
2. Promotes Collagen Production
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that plays a role in strengthening your skin. However, as you age, the collagen you have begins to break down. Lower levels of collagen can lead to fine lines and wrinkles, as well as sagging skin. Vitamin C is known for boosting collagen production through the process of collagen synthesis. The vitamin is the essential cofactor for the two enzymes required for collagen synthesis (prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase) so it simply can’t happen without it.
3. Can Help Fight Acne
Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. It can also help reduce the production of sebum, which is the oil that can clog pores and lead to break outs. If you have active acne, be sure to start at a lower concentration of vitamin C and gradually increase strength. Note that if you have severe acne, it’s important to talk to a skincare specialist before starting a new skincare routine.
4. Reduces Hyperpigmentation and Brightens the Skin
Vitamin C helps even out skin tone by fading sun spots and other dark spots on the skin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin. It can also happen in areas where acne has healed. Vitamin C helps inhibit melanin synthesis by down-regulating the activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase. This helps even out and brighten your complexion.
5. Extra Sun Protection
Vitamin C gives your skin an extra bit of sun protection. When you combine vitamin C with sunscreen you get better sun protection and sun aging protection because they work together. If any sun gets through the sunscreen, the vitamin C is there to step in.
6. Benefits the Eye Area
Vitamin C eye serums can help brighten and smooth your under eyes by hydrating and plumping the area. Although vitamin C is more effective at reducing overall redness, it can also help reduce the appearance of under eye circles. When selecting a serum, just make sure to look for a formula carefully designed for the eye area.
3 Risks & Side Effects of Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a safe and generally well-tolerated ingredient, however, it’s important to know that there are some potential side effects. If you have very sensitive skin, consult with your dermatologist before use.
- Skin irritation (redness, burning, and itching). The high concentration of vitamin C in some products can be too strong for some people’s skin.
- Can cause dryness, flakiness, and peeling skin, especially if it’s not formulated for your skin type.
- Can be unstable and lose its effectiveness when exposed to light and air. Make sure to store it in a dark and airtight container and use it as soon as possible after opening.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum
The key to reaping the benefits of vitamin C serum is using it correctly. It’s important to use the right concentration of vitamin C for your skin type, and to use it twice a day, in the morning and at night. Make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly before applying the serum, and use it before other skin care products such as moisturizer and sunscreen.
Vitamin C serum can actually be even more effective when used with other products. Combining with products like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinoids, and salicylic acid can produce a synergetic effect and enhance the benefits of each product.
Store your bottle in a cool, dark place away from heat, and toss the serum six months after it’s been opened. If you’re using it according to instructions, it will likely be done before the six months is up.