A Guide to Vitamin C in Skincare
Premium skincare contains concentrated and efficacious ingredients to promote beautiful and youthful complexions. Explore the range of Lancôme vitamin C for skin products and discover vitamin C skincare benefits ahead.
What is vitamin C in skincare?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant found in nature. In order to receive the range of radiance-boosting vitamin C benefits for skin, you can apply the ingredient topically within your skincare ritual.
What does vitamin C do for the skin exactly? The nutrient is especially beneficial to Australian skin, as it’s antioxidant properties allow it to counteract the effects of UV radiation and other stressors alongside daily SPF application. This protects collagen, promotes firm skin texture and supports bright, even skin tones. Put simply, vitamin C is anti-ageing and glow-giving magic.
Types of vitamin C
There are a few different versions of vitamin C, and the way these are formulated into skincare products differs. So, what does ascorbic acid do for skin compared to ascorbyl palmitate or bioflavonoids? Explore the different forms of vitamin C for face below.
Pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
L-ascorbic acid or pure vitamin C is a potent version of the ingredient, which addresses visible ageing signs and promotes youthful skin. It does this by neutralising free radicals (atoms which have become destabilised by environmental stress) and supporting strong skin.
Ascorbyl palmitate
Ascorbyl palmitate is an oil-soluble type of vitamin C. This makes it a complimentary addition to nourishing vitamin C anti-ageing creams. Ascorbyl palmitate can provide skin-brightening and protective benefits in your moisturising skincare step.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
An oil-soluble version of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate can support sensitive skin and skin which has experienced stress. Because of its oil-soluble status, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate melts deeply into skin.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids work with vitamin C to enhance its benefits. Also an antioxidant, bioflavonoids support vitamin C benefits for skin, and help to retain the ingredient within skin’s surface layers.
What does vitamin C do for your skin?
Now that we know the science behind it, why is vitamin C good for skin? A multipurpose ingredient, vitamin C skincare benefits address a whole range of concerns to promote beautiful complexions.
Helps with dark spots
A common skin concern, dark spots are caused by exposure to UV radiation and typically begin to appear from our 40’s onwards. Implementing vitamin C for skin discolourations like dark spots can have visible and potent results as the ingredient helps to inhibit melanin, the substance which produces pigmentation.
Helps reduce wrinkles
Free radicals and cellular stress are significant contributors to fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C anti-ageing products like Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum can help to visibly lift the appearance of these signs of ageing and firm skin, by addressing and improving skin stress.
Helps to protect skin against UV damage
When UV radiation absorbs into skin, cells can become damaged and lead to visibly weakened skin. By implementing vitamin C for face, you can help to protect one of the most exposed areas of the body from premature signs of ageing and promote skin health.
Boosts collagen
Collagen is our naturally occurring skin-firmer, but as we age the quantity in our skin depletes. By applying vitamin C skincare you can encourage the natural production of collagen and encourage plumped, firmer looking skin.
Provides hydration
Hydration is key to brightened complexions, but we lose moisture throughout the day and as we sleep. For those wondering is vitamin C good for skin?, retained hydration support through creams like Clarifique Milky Day Cream is another benefit you can add to the list!
The Role of Vitamin C in Skincare
Your skincare routine works best when applied in the right order and with complimentary ingredients. Learn more about the role of vitamin C for skin routines.
Can all skin types use vitamin C?
Vitamin C may be a potent ingredient, but it’s also typically safe for all skin types. As with any new skincare product, we recommend slowly introducing vitamin C and speaking to your dermatologist if you have concerns.
Adding vitamin C to your skincare routine
To receive the most vitamin C skincare benefits possible, it’s important that your product is applied the correct way. We’ve gathered some of the top tips and tricks for correct vitamin C use.
Should you vitamin C in the morning or at night?
How often to use vitamin C on the skin
How to determine a suitable concentration and pH of vitamin C
Discover our vitamin C skincare products
Enhance your skin with the luxurious range of Lancôme’s vitamin C for face.
Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum
ANTI-AGING FACE SERUM FORMULATED WITH HYALURONIC ACID, VITAMIN C + NIACINIMADE & FERULIC ACID
Clarifique Milky Day Cream
DAY CREAM - BRIGHTENING, PLUMPING - VITAMIN C
What are the best ingredients to use with vitamin C?
You can boost vitamin C benefits for skin by implementing your vitamin C skincare alongside complementary ingredients. Discover which ingredients contribute to plump, even toned and radiant skin.
Hyaluronic acid
Already present in skin, hyaluronic acid helps to draw in and retain moisture. As our natural production of the humectant decreases, it can be harder for skin to maintain hydration. Vitamin C works alongside hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and improve plump and bouncy complexions.
Niacinamide
Vitamin C isn’t the only skincare ingredient that supports healthy cells. Niacinamide or vitamin B3 is another nutrient that helps to maintain bright and youthful complexions. It’s also gentle, making it perfect for use alongside potent ingredients like vitamin C for the face.
Ferulic acid
Ferulic acid shares some vitamin C skincare benefits and also promotes the effectiveness of vitamin C – making them one of the best combinations for skin protection and support. Combine these two ingredients to further collagen production and protect skin from visible ageing.
SPF
UV radiation is one of the biggest contributors to skin stress in Australia, so to provide the best skincare support possible, your routine should feature optimal sun protection. In the morning, team SPF and vitamin C for skin protection and premature ageing prevention.
What ingredients to avoid using with vitamin C
While vitamin C works wonders alongside a range of skincare ingredients, its high potency does mean that some pairings should be avoided. You don’t have to leave the following ingredients out altogether though – instead, alternate usage between morning and evening routines or every other day:
• Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives
• Benzoyl peroxide
• AHAs like glycolic acid
• BHAs like salicylic acid
Do you need to use sunscreen after applying vitamin C?
SPF and vitamin C can be used individually, but when combined as part of your morning routine, the two ingredients provide enhanced UV radiation protection. We recommend using a vitamin C anti-ageing serum or moisturiser and then sunscreen.
Discover more vitamin C tips & guides
To support you on your skincare journey, we’ve gathered expert-approved tips and tricks on using vitamin C for face concerns and goals. Read on to discover more.
Vitamin C skincare FAQs
We’ve answered your most asked questions for about using vitamin C for skin.