You Gotta C it to Believe it!

Why your skincare routine needs a burst of Vitamin C for unbelievably good skin.

The benefits of Vitamin C are widely researched and recognised in the skincare world, yet many of us are unaware of its multiple, scientifically proven, benefits. Vitamin C is essentially an antioxidant and helps protect our skin cells from harmful environmental and sun damage. It’s one of the best ingredients for skin brightening, reducing hyperpigmentation and encouraging collagen production. While eating citrus fruits gives us plentiful health benefits of the vitamin, topical usage of the active ingredient has shown great results for all skin types.

Vitamin C has photo protective properties that keep oxidative stress at bay. Oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage healthy cells in the body and lead to degenerative processes, including ageing. Antioxidants are substances that can protect these cells in our body from free radicals that attack us everyday through various detrimental sources from excessive air pollution to bad processed food diets.

The most effective ‘gold standard’ form of Vitamin C is knows as L-Ascorbic Acid. The most effective serums should have a 10-20% concentration of L-AA with complimentary ingredients like Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid that aid its absorption in the skin. Price is not necessarily a determinant of quality; some higher price point serums have received rave reviews but cheaper options like Deciem’s Vitamin C range has proven to be equally effective.

Though L-Ascorbic Acid is the best form of the vitamin, it is more unstable than others and can oxidise quickly, rendering it ineffective if stored for long. Some people find it to be too harsh on their skin too. Other popular derivatives of Vitamin C may be easier to use but L-Ascorbic Acid is the only form with clinically proven effectiveness. However, that does not mean other derivatives don’t work, in fact they can be beneficial for a number of skincare concerns and give you the antioxidant vitamin c benefits you’re looking for. The most popular ones include, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD).

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C and is potentially effective for brightening. There is also research proving 1% and 5% concentrations of this derivative can minimise acne and breakouts. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate or THD is a newer form of vitamin C, rendered to be more lipid soluble. This modification allows it to penetrate the skin better. It converts to L-Ascorbic Acid only once in contact with skin and has a longer shelf life than L-AA containing products that tend to oxidise and must be used quickly.

There are serval other forms but these two along with L-AA are what I have personally tried and tested and can certainly vouch for. Here are some of the products that have done wonders for my skin.

Serums with L-Ascorbic Acid