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Vitamin C - The Most Powerful Skincare Ingredient

If there’s a skincare ingredient that is worth every hype, it is Vitamin C. This immune-boosting vitamin is known for its antioxidant properties. It helps prevent the formation of free radicals that break down collagen. It is also the dermatologist’s answer to hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Here’s everything you need to know about Vitamin C, the most powerful, must-have ingredient in your skincare routine.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is famous for its immunity-boosting properties. It is also rich in antioxidants that help in brightening the skin complexion. It is vital to add the vitamin in your daily diet in the form of fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, pineapple, cantaloupe, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, etc. Intake of these supply adequate vitamin C for the body but not enough for the skin. Hence, the dermatologists suggest adding it in the form of a serum or moisturiser in your regular skincare routine.

How Does It Work?

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that humans and animals cannot do without. Skin requires vitamin c to synthesise collagen and inhibit the production of elastin. Collagen and elastin give the skin its firmness and elasticity. Adding vitamin c to your daily routine helps increase collagen, which offers an anti-aging effect. This again helps to reduce acne marks.

Vitamin C also slows the production of melanin upon sun exposure, which is the reason for dark spots—thereby arresting hyperpigmentation. Including AHA/BHA in the night-routine exfoliates the skin and increases cell turnover. This additional step, along with vitamin c helps to clear existing pigmentation.

What Should You Look For?

Not all Vitamin C serums are equal in the formulation. Here are a few factors you need to consider when going for a vitamin c serum.

  • Formulation: There are many forms of vitamin c. The importance of them being, L-ascorbic acid(pure), sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate among the others. Of these, ascorbic acid is the only active ingredient and rest are derivatives. Vitamin c is unstable in its pure form. Hence the addition of ferulic acid and vitamin e is essential for stability. They also enhance the outcome of vitamin c.

  • Concentration: Vitamin c comes in various concentrations. Dermatologists suggest at least 10% and above for better results. As important is the strength, so is the other ingredients as they affect the effectiveness and stability of the actives.

  • Price: Stabilising vitamin c can be pricey. Hence most vitamin c products are expensive; That said, not all costly products contain the right formulation. They might not have enough research done to back their formula. Always look for the ingredients and conduct your research before buying a product.

  • Packaging: Vitamin c oxidises under direct sunlight. Consequently, most vitamin c serums are stored in dark opaque bottles. Also, pumps work better than any other method of dispense as it reduces oxygen exposure.

Reap Its Benefits

Vitamin C has long been used in skincare, be it Korean or desi face masks suggested by your grandmother. If you are still wondering about the benefits of a vitamin c serum, here’s why you should go for them if not anything else.

  • Reduces the sun damage and safeguards the skin from UV radiation when used with a sunscreen.
  • It plays a vital role in forming and repairing tissue.
  • When used regularly, it protects the skin against various skin problems like dryness, wrinkles and sagging.
  • Promotes collagen production and increases skin elasticity.
  • An antioxidant that inhibits free radicals causing cellular damage.
  • It detoxifies the skin, brightening it and evening out the skin tone.

Potential Side Effects

Too much of anything cannot be useful in any circumstance. The benefits of vitamin c can be felt for up to 24 hours. Using it once a day is enough. Also, vitamin c is prone to oxidation; it can be detrimental if not used properly. Here are a few side effects of excessive Vitamin C usage.

  • Vitamin C has an exfoliating effect hence can cause flakes in dry skin, at least until your skin gets used to the vitamin.
  • Certain ingredients used to stabilise Vitamin C can cause breakouts.
  • Vitamin C can cause irritation and inflammation when used in combination with acids, retinol etc.
  • Excessive usage can cause collagen and elastin breakdown.

10 Korean Vitamin C Serums You Should Check Out

On the search for an effective Vitamin C serum, Korean products always top the list. With relatively safe ingredients, their serums are always sought after. Not to mention the innovations they usually come with.

KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop (35ml)

Source www.amazon.in

Designed to be safe even for the most sensitive skin, the KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop contains 5% ascorbic acid along with Centella Asiatica, yuzu extract, and broccoli extract. The fragrance-free formula is non-irritating and has a pH of 3.81. The multi-solution vitamin c serum transforms the dull skin tone, fades the pigmentation, and evens out the skin tone. Free of parabens, alcohols, colourants, and artificial fragrances, the serum restores and rejuvenates the skin.

KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Normal, combination and oily skin can wear half a dropper on a cleansed face while sensitive skin 3-4 drops, as such or mixed in with your moisturiser. Priced at Rs. 2,406, it is available to buy from Amazon India.

Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon

Source sokoglam.com

The Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon designed especially for Soko Glam is vitamin c in powder form. It offers the brightening properties of the vitamin c serum without the product getting oxidised. With a pure vitamin c of 17% ascorbic acid, the product also contains ingredients like allantoin, trehalose, hydrolysed collagen, and lemon extract. Free from alcohol, silicone, artificial fragrance, paraben, mineral oil, and surfactants the formula brightens tired skin and hydrates it further. It is ideal for all skin types, even sensitive, and is available to buy from Soko Glam for $20 or Rs. 1,495.

Mix Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon with your serum or essence (anything that’s watery). Allow it to dissolve for 20 seconds and apply generously on your face.

Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid

Source sokoglam.com

Another cult favourite that is a collaboration between Charlotte Cho and COSRX is the Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid. The serum boasts of 20.5% ascorbic acid, containing pure vitamin c with the added benefits of black chokeberry which is known to stabilise high concentrations of vitamin c. Perfect for all skin types, it brightens dull skin and brings radiance. With a pH level of 3, the serum is fragrance-free. Purchase Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid from Sokoglam for $27 or Rs. 2,018.

Apply 1-2 drops of the vitamin c serum directly to your cleansed face. As for sensitive skin, mix with a moisturiser. Start with every other night and graduate to every night.

By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum (30ml)

Source www.amazon.in

Gift your skin with the nourishment it deserves with the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum. With 21.5% pure vitamin c, the serum has just 10 essential ingredients. The higher amount of vitamin c helps to restore supple skin and reduce acne scars. The vitamin tree water ensures hydrated skin and also replenishes the lost moisture. The presence of panthenol and allantoin stabilises the concentrated vitamin c for longer periods of time. The vitamin c serum costs Rs. 4,759 and is available to buy from amazon.in.

Safe to use by advanced vitamin c users, the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum is your last step in essential skincare. Apply an adequate amount to the face by tapping and massaging to ensure absorption.

Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum (30ml)

Source beautybarn.in

Famous as the “Two-Week Serum”, the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum contains 70% green tangerine extract. Accessible only 4 months of the year, green tangerine is said to have 10 times more vitamin c. Ascorbyl glucoside, the form of vitamin c used here is not only stable but also lightweight in texture and non-irritating.

The other ingredients are arbutin and niacinamide, which brighten the skin providing additional hydration and a more even skin tone. This wonder serum is available to buy from BeautyBarn for Rs. 1,700.

Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector With Vitamin C Derivatives (30ml)

Source www.nykaa.com

While pure Vitamin C is known for its fast results, it is not the most stable, neither it is ideal for sensitive skin. The Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector contains ascorbyl tetra-isopalmitate, an oil-soluble vitamin derivative. The serum also contains anti-aging ingredients and as such is perfect for aging and mature skin. Consisting of entirely natural ingredients, it also smoothens and brightens the skin. It is also free from artificial fragrance, colouring, and alcohol.

Apply 2-3 drops on your skin by tapping it for maximum penetration. Buy it from Nykaa for Rs. 950.

Skinfood, Peach Sake Pore Serum

Source in.iherb.com

Rich in vitamins and minerals, peach is known for its rejuvenating effects. Vitamin A and C present in peach are antioxidants that reduce damage due to free radicals. The Peach Sake Pore Serum by Skinfood combines the goodness of peach and sake made from rice wine. The alcohol content in the sake controls the sebum secretion. It also brightens the skin and increases collagen production. Another vital ingredient is the silica which absorbs the excess oil creating a matte look.

Buy the multi-functional serum from iHerb for Rs. 1,219. Use Skinfood, Peach Sake Pore Serum after emulsion in your skincare routine. Apply the necessary amount to target areas in a gentle circular motion.

Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum

Source beautybarn.in

Another Vitamin C serum, Korean beauty industry has given us is the Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum. The Korean brand only uses natural ingredients, and the serum is loaded with 5% ascorbic acid, red ginseng extract, and natural niacinamide. These ingredients brighten the skin, prevent skin aging, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Another essential component is the 84% hyaluronic acid, which gives necessary hydration. It is available to buy from Yes Style for $14.31 or Rs. 1,070.

After cleansing and toning, apply one pump to your face and neck.

Some by mi-Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum (30ml)

Source beautybarn.in

A dual functioning serum that brightens and whitens your skin. Some by mi-Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum contains 75% galactomyces ferment filtrate, the ultimate skin brightening agent. That combined with enriched Vitamin C lightens blemishes and fades dark spots. The non-sticky formula also includes sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide. They help in hydration and leaves behind a firmer-looking skin. Buy it from BeautyBarn for Rs. 1,650. Apply a few drops on a clean face and pat for better absorption.

Tia’m My Signature C Source (30ml)

Source www.shopandshop.com

Enjoy the antioxidant powers of pure vitamin c with the Tia’m My Signature C Source. It contains 20% pure Vitamin C that brightens dull skin and improves the skin texture. The vitamin also energises the skin and inhibits free radicals. The light formula spreads on the skin quickly, promotes collagen, and strengthens the elasticity. The other essential ingredients are panthenol, niacinamide, ubiquinone. Priced at Rs. 1,400, the serum is available to buy at Shop and Shop.

Apply 1-2 drops of Vitamin C to your toned skin and spread evenly. Spot treat dark spots and pigmented areas.

Tips to Make the Best Use of Vitamin C

The k-celebrities have a glow about them that makes you crave for it. It may be diet or genetics, but vitamin c definitely plays a part. This hero-ingredient is a potent antioxidant, hence can be used in your morning routine too.

Here is how you can make the best use of Vitamin C:

  • Reap the benefits of Vitamin C by using it in the morning in coordination with your sunscreen. It is prone to oxidation in the sun and less effective. Hence give it time to get absorbed before continuing.

  • Use your Vitamin C serum on a cleansed and toned skin before your moisturiser.

  • Vitamin C appears in different concentrations from 5% up to 30%. Choose one depending on your needs. Dry skin could go with 5% or lower, but oily and pigmented skin could do with higher concentrations.

  • There are quite a few formulations of Vitamin C depending on the product and the end audience. The water-soluble forms of Vitamin C like L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate are better suited for oily skin. For dry and mature skin, ascorbyl palmitate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, work the best. They are lipid-soluble and moisturising as well.

  • While Vitamin C works with most ingredients, it clashes with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and retinol due to the difference in pH.

  • Store your Vitamin Cproducts away from sunlight in a cool, dark place. Store it in opaque containers with a pump dispenser.

  • Vitamin C should be colourless or light straw colour. When oxidised, it turns to yellow or brown and is less effective. You better chuck it out when it turns brown.

  • Do not hoard Vitamin C. It can turn ineffective by the time you reach for it.

  • The mode of delivery matters a lot when it comes to Vitamin C. While dermatologists consider serums to be the best, you can also look at cleansers, moisturisers, night creams, etc.

Writer
Sunandha Wilis
After spending 12 years in the hectic corporate world, Sunandha quit the industry to follow her passion for writing. She enjoys writing on a variety of subjects including travel, health, beauty, fashion and technology. Apart from writing she also dons the hat of an editor from time to time. Her time off is spent listening to music and wrestling with her boys.

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Test It Before You Apply

Even though most Vitamin C products offer great results on all skin types, but still, before you apply a serum to your face, it is always better to first test it on the back of your palm to check for any side-effects or adverse reactions. By doing this, you will be able to avoid any harm to your face in case of an allergic reaction. Alternatively, you can also run your chosen product by your dermatologist in case you have any concerns.