FACING THE VITAMIN C FACTS

Vitamin C is the powerhouse ingredient that is taking over the skincare world. Not only is it a potent antioxidant that brightens dark spots and smooths fine lines, but it also fights free radical damage caused by the environment, pollution, and UV radiation. These free radicals that we are all exposed to, whether we like it or not, can damage the skin and lead to premature signs of aging (and nobody wants that!).

It is also a very safe ingredient that most people can tolerate (excluding those with hypersensitive skin, who may only experience minor irritation with use).

SO...WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A VITAMIN C SERUM?

A regular application of Vitamin C has been shown to impede melanin production, which is responsible, in part, for hyperpigmentation. An effective vitamin C serum can therefore help fade dark spots, boost wound healing (goodbye, surface acne scars!) and lead to a brighter, smoother complexion.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Vitamin C can show up as several different names, but the serum you want to look for will have L-ascorbic acid in its list of ingredients (ideally, as one of the first five, meaning it is one of the most prominent ingredients).

Look for both vitamins C and E in the ingredients list, as the latter helps stabilize Vitamin C for maximum skin protection.

SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC $190

SKINMEDICA VITAMIN C + E COMPLEX $108

You want your serum to come in a dark glass bottle with a medicine dropper rather than an air pump, as exposure to air, sunlight, and heat can degrade your serum.

Many serums are clear or a tint of yellow, but if your product starts to change colour (from clear to yellow or from yellow to brown or a dark orange hue), it means it has oxidized. In other words: time to toss it!

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’re wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both in the morning and at night, after cleansing/toning and before moisturizing.

There’s certainly no law against using vitamin C products in the evening, but you may get the most benefit from using them in the morning, as Vitamin C can protect the skin from further photo damage caused by ultraviolet rays. It is still crucial, however, that you follow-up with an adequate SPF.

It is advised not to use vitamin C and retinoids at the same time, as they work best in different environments and may inhibit one another.

Some of our top Vitamin C recommendations include:

ZO SKIN HEALTH 10% VITAMIN C SERUM $126