A true skin booster, vitamin C is one of those time-honoured, wholesome ingredients that help brighten uneven skin tone and a lacklustre complexion, while making it look smoother and firmer. Essentially, it’s one of the most recommended treatments for that glowing and radiant skin we all love!

Now let’s take a deep dive into many of its excellent benefits.

So, What Exactly is Vitamin C?  

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant naturally present in citrus fruit like oranges, lemons and limes that increases skin’s normal regeneration process and helps effectively fight off the damage inflicted by UV rays and air pollution. Because of its high acidity, when vitamin C is applied on skin it helps speed up the production of collagen and elastic, two protein fibres that make skin plump and firm. Which means the application of vitamin C skincare products can actually prevent premature aging. 

Vitamin C is usually found in two different forms in skincare formulations: ascorbic acid and THD ascorbate. So don’t be surprised to see these names in the ingredients list! 

Another great aspect of vitamin C is that it slows down skin’s melanin production, which causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation; problems older skin typically starts showing after many years of unprotected sun exposure. 

How to Include Vitamin C Into Your Daily Beauty Routine 

Because they are more effective than cremes or toners, serums are the ideal vehicle to deliver vitamin C to your skin. As a general rule, serums should be the first product you apply on your skin, layered under a moisturizer. 

But because they are highly concentrated, never attempt to use more than one pump of vitamin C serum, as this could cause skin irritation. In fact, a few drops are enough for each application, and it’s better to start with a low concentration and increase it as your skin gets used to this powerful new treatment. 

Good Choices To Test-Drive Vitamin C Products

  • Biolumin C serum from Dermalogica

A high-performance formula that enhances skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Advanced bio-technology and an ultra-stable Vitamin C to fight oxidative stress and the appearance of skin aging before it starts. Optimized delivery system combined with a peptide and AHA renews for brighter, firmer, more radiant skin.

  • CE FERulic from Skin Ceuticals

 Ideal for normal, dry and combination skin, this award-winning vitamin C serum contains 15% pure vitamin C (in an ascorbic acid form) to enhance environmental protection against aging caused by free radicals from UVA/UVB, infrared radiation, and ozone pollution.

  • Vital C15 Complex from GM Collin

Boosts skin’s radiance for a flawless-looking complexion, while visibly reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin’s elasticity. What’s not to love! 

Celeste Calder