If you’re wondering ‘is Vitamin C good for my skin?’ Then you can be rest assured that the answer is 100% yes. Vitamin C has a plethora of benefits for both your skin and your immune system.
It’s often called a wonder ingredient, as it can help boost your skin’s collagen production whilst simultaneously brightening and levelling out your skin tone. Add it to your diet, and it helps to encourage the production of your white blood cells to protect your body from infection, something that given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we all could benefit from.Truth be told, it’s a hero amongst the vitamin group and an ingredient that you should keep in the forefront of your mind both for your beauty products and your breakfast! But what are all of its benefits? And how and when should you use it?
Read on for our inside scoop on why vitamin C is the MVP and you should invest in it like, right now!
What does vitamin C do for your skin?
The benefits of vitamin C for your skin are plentiful. It’s a potent antioxidant that helps your skin to fight free radical damage from both sunlight and pollution, alongside protecting your skin cells from other environmental damage that causes aging and wrinkles.
Not only this, but it also helps to keep your skin firmer and brighter by boosting your collagen production, reducing inflammation and tackling unwanted pigmentation. It’s one of the most important steps to add to your skincare routine following your daily cleanse and SPF application because it can have staggering results on your overall complexion and general skin health.
How to add vitamin C to a skincare routine
Our skin needs topical vitamin C, because although our bodies can get vitamin C from our food, our skin is the last organ to receive it. Vitamin C is best applied to your skin via a serum style product, because serums are lighter in consistency than moisturisers or pastes and are more easily absorbed by the skin. This means that the vitamin C in your chosen product can seep down into the epidermis and get straight to work.
Many ingredients used in skincare include high vitamin C contents and should be on your ‘back of the product’ checklist. You might notice L absorbic acid on a products ingredient list, and this refers to the most active form of vitamin C.
There are also other natural ingredients which contain a high dose of vitamin C, such as:
- Sea buckthorn: known for its restorative properties, one small sea buckthorn berry contains 12 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange!
- Rosehip oil – works wonders on the skin because of its potent content of vitamin C which can protect the skin against the aging effects of free radicals
- Pomegranate oil – Pomegranates contain a staggering amount of vitamin C and continued use has been known to actively smooth and sooth the skins surface.
It’s important to note that people with sensitive skin should be wary of vitamin C’s acidity, and always test products before applying them directly to their face.
Our 24-hr rosehip serum is suitable for all skin types, but is especially useful for dry, damaged and dehydrated skin. Our serum not only contains rosehip oil but also contains sea buckthorn extract too, so it’s packed full of natural vitamin C to help hydrate, calm and soothe your skin.
When to use a vitamin C serum?
It’s a good idea to use a vitamin C based serum every day. We recommend using it in the morning without fail as it can protect your skin from everyday pollutants and micro aggressions.
It’s a good idea to build up your tolerance to products containing vitamin C, so if your skin tends to be a little temperamental then start by using it twice a week at first.
You can also use a vitamin C based serum in the evening to boost your skins natural brightness and allow time for the product to work overnight whilst your skin is repairing. Twice daily allows for pinnacle protection and you’ll see a change in your skin almost immediately after opting for a great serum, but for best results, allow around 12 weeks of continual use.
How should I include more vitamin C in my diet for my body?
It seems like a simple answer, but the best way to get the benefits of Vitamin C in your diet is by eating more fruits and vegetables that have a high volume of the vitamin. Think fresh foods such as citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and leafy greens like spinach, cabbage and even broccoli.
Eating a diet rich in vitamin C will not only boost your immune system, but help in the growth and repair of tissues in all areas of your body so you can glow from the inside out.