THE ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN SKINCARE

Vitamin C’s impressive roll call of benefits has made it one of the most popular ingredients in skincare today, a holy grail for many, and a worthwhile addition to your beauty shelf. With benefits ranging from radiance boosting, to texture smoothing, to plumping and hydrating, vitamin C is a true multi-tasker.

This dermatologist favourite works best when used consistently over an extended period, so it’s worth taking the time to find the right formulation and product type for you. To gain a better understanding of why vitamin C is good for skin, the types of vitamin C and how to get the most out of your vitamin C skincare products, read our guide below.

What is Vitamin C?

 

A skincare ingredient list staple, vitamin C is most commonly found in skincare as the water-soluble molecule L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which means it works to neutralise skin damaging free radicals – including pollutants like smoke, dust and pesticides. Free radicals are pesky molecules responsible for the deterioration of your skin’s collagen, which in turn can exacerbate signs of ageing.

Antioxidants like vitamin C help the skin bounce back from free radical damage it faces on the daily and should be applied topically as the body cannot produce its own. Look for a topical solution like a face cream with vitamin C, or essences and serums – these will go a long way towards combating the impacts of free radicals on your skin.

 

Why is Vitamin C good for skin?

 

Collagen, the protein responsible for skin firmness and elasticity, becomes more precious as we age and our collagen production naturally depletes. Enter Vitamin C’s antioxidant, free radical fighting abilities, which work to enhance collagen production and give you a lit-from-within glow over time. But which type of vitamin C is best for you?

There are many types of vitamin C you might spot on a skincare ingredients list, all of which may be formulated in different ways to suit a variety of needs. Here’s a crash course in different types of vitamin C commonly found in skincare:

• L-ascorbic acid: Vitamin C in its pure form. L-ascorbic acid, also known simply as ascorbic acid, is the most well-known and commonly used form of vitamin C.
• Ascorbyl glucoside: Water-soluble vitamin C combined with glucose to deliver gentle plumping and brightening effects. This can be seen in our Clarifique Gentle Foam.
• Ethyl ascorbic acid: A highly stable form of vitamin C soluble in both oil and water, making it a great addition to brightening creams.

Now let’s delve deeper into what vitamin C can do for your skin.

 

What does Vitamin C do for the skin?

 

If you’re planning to add an active ingredient into your skincare routine, vitamin C is a tried-and-true option, offering a range of benefits to enhance your skin. We’ve compiled a list of vitamin C benefits below to help gain insight into which concerns this ingredient can help address, so you can decide if it might be time to welcome vitamin C into your routine.

 

Provides radiance for dull skin

 

Vitamin C has a unique ability to brighten and even out skin tone, combating skin dullness by inhibiting melanin production and leaving you with a radiant complexion.

If you’re looking to target dull skin with a vitamin C face cream that packs a punch, the Clarifique Milky Day Cream may be right for you. This day cream contains a combination of ethyl ascorbic acid, a highly stable and brightening form of vitamin C, and skin smoothing superstar ingredient niacinamide.

 

Promotes collagen production

 

As we age, collagen production decreases which results in the hallmark signs of ageing skin – wrinkles, sagging and dullness. We can take steps to add volume and elasticity back into the skin by stimulating collagen production with the support of vitamin C.

Vitamin C plays a central role in the skin’s production of collagen, encouraging your skin to synthesize new collagen to keep your skin looking its best. Application of a topical vitamin C to stimulate collagen production becomes more important as we age but anyone – especially those dealing with acne scars, sunspots or discolouration – can benefit from a little extra collagen in their life.

 

Targets skin discolouration

 

Vitamin C inhibits melanin production in the skin, which over time and with consistent use can help fade hyperpigmentation such as sunspots, age spots and melasma. In this process, vitamin C inhibits the activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase which is responsible for melanin production – helping to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation and prevent new marks from forming.

 

Evens out skin tone

 

Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce redness and puffiness. With its ability to target skin discolouration such as dark spots, along with neutralising free radicals and minimising skin redness, vitamin C can help achieve a more even and smooth skin tone.

So could it be time to harness the power of vitamin C skincare products in your daily routine? Whether it’s in the form of an essence such as the Clarifique Dual Essence, a moisturiser or a serum, this skin-saving ingredient is a highly effective way to target many common skin concerns in one skincare step.

Loved this article on vitamin C in skincare? Read our guide to face serums next.