Vitamin C is widely recognized for its health-boosting properties, but it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about skincare. However, it absolutely should be. The benefits of vitamin C for your face are extensive, ranging from evening out skin tone and enhancing elasticity to diminishing dark spots and wrinkles, all while contributing to a more radiant complexion.
If you’re aiming to harness these beauty benefits, taking action is key. “Humans lack the enzyme necessary to produce the vitamin C we need,” explains skincare experts. “We must obtain it through our diet.” Fortunately, there’s an alternative: applying vitamin C topically directly to the skin.
Let’s delve into the science supporting the benefits of vitamin C for the face and explore why this vitamin is such a crucial ingredient in an effective skincare regimen.
How Does Vitamin C Work?
We are constantly exposed to free radicals, which are generated by environmental factors such as pollution, smoke, UV rays from the sun, and other external aggressors. “Free radicals trigger an inflammatory response in the skin,” experts note. “This manifests as skin that appears dull and tired, along with the development of wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven texture and tone.”
Fortunately, our skin naturally contains antioxidants that combat these free radicals and prevent oxidation. “Antioxidants neutralize the electron of the free radical,” explains researchers. “The antioxidant essentially ‘calms’ the free radical, preventing it from causing further damage to the skin.” Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant found in the skin, protecting it from oxidative stress by donating electrons that neutralize harmful free radicals.
In fact, vitamin C offers significant improvements for skin appearance. “By reversing sun damage, you’ll notice improvements in your skin’s tone and texture. Vitamin C also acts on melanin in the skin, which helps to lighten dark spots and visibly even out skin tone.”
The Benefits of Vitamin C for Facial Skin
The antioxidants we obtain through diet provide some protection against free radicals, but their effectiveness can diminish after prolonged sun exposure. This is where topical antioxidants become essential.
Since dietary nutrients don’t readily reach the outermost layers of the skin, using a serum is highly recommended as a supplement. Independent research has demonstrated that topical application of vitamin C fights photoaging and stimulates natural collagen production in the skin, helping to maintain visible firmness and combat the pigment that causes dark spots.
How is Vitamin C Formulated for Skincare?
Vitamin C exists in various forms, but L-ascorbic acid is one of the most extensively studied for its skin health benefits. Various methods have been developed to enhance the efficacy of L-ascorbic acid and ensure it penetrates the skin to act where it’s most needed. “This allows for the delivery of rapid and visible results,” specialists confirm.
Research has evaluated L-ascorbic acid’s protective effects against particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and UV rays. “We demonstrated that ascorbic acid was the most effective compound in reducing free radicals caused by PM 2.5 particles and UV rays, compared to its derivatives.”
Alt text: Diagram illustrating the effectiveness of ascorbic acid in reducing free radicals caused by particulate matter and UV radiation, highlighting its superior performance compared to derivatives for skin protection.
Despite its numerous advantages, L-ascorbic acid is notably unstable. It degrades in the presence of oxygen or light, which reduces its effectiveness in protecting the skin. Two primary approaches exist to stabilize vitamin C: using a more stable derivative of vitamin C or carefully formulating, processing, and packaging L-ascorbic acid to ensure maximum stability.
How to Incorporate Vitamin C into Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C can be used daily over extended periods and can be effectively combined with other common anti-aging ingredients found in skincare products.
Sources:
-
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866. Juliet M. Pullar, Anitra C. Carr and Margreet C. M. Vissers. (Accessed 20/07/2021)
-
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Particulate Matter (PM) Basics. (Accessed 20/07/2021)
