Skincare Benefits of Vitamin C

Sunscreens and topical creams, such as moisturizers, are proper forms of skincare. But did you know that vitamin C plays a critical role in the health of your skin?

Vitamin C is found in many types of moisturizers and skincare products. Yet, studies have shown that as many as 15% of adults in the U.S. lack healthy amounts of this vitamin, which is most often found in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA). In high doses, LAA can be irritating. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is less irritating for dry, sensitive skin, while ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbic glucosamine (a water-soluble derivative), tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate are other forms you might encounter.

How Does Vitamin C Help Skin?

Aside from boosting immunity, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, and having a host of other health benefits, vitamin C is highly conducive to good skin health. The benefits it can provide include:

• Increased collagen production: Collagen is a tough protein that supports skin and keeps it firm. It is lost through age and sun damage. The result is sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. By boosting collagen production, lines and wrinkles can smooth out and your skin can become firmer and plumper.
• Antioxidant protection: Free radicals can cause skin damage and premature signs of aging. Since it has various antioxidant properties, vitamin C can fight this damage and that caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In fact, you can have younger looking skin with products featuring concentrations as low as 0.6% (high concentration products can be beneficial as well).
• Better pigmentation: Boosting collagen production inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that converts tyrosine into melanin, thereby preventing hyperpigmentation. Inhibiting melanin production can even out skin tone and brightness and lighten brown spots.
• Protection against sun damage: Thickening the dermis layer is one reason vitamin C for your skin is so beneficial. Thicker tissue protects against sun exposure and damage from UV rays.
• Natural skin rejuvenation: Vitamin C can also help repair skin damage caused by sun exposure and collagen loss over time. It can support cell regeneration as well. In some cases, vitamin intake can even reduce scars.

Getting the Most Out of Vitamin C Skincare Products

If you’re using a serum, applying it correctly can improve absorption into your skin. Apply it to clean skin that is slightly damp. Then, spread the serum or moisturizer with clean fingers over your skin, starting with a few drops to see how your skin reacts. If using a product for the first time, wait 15 minutes before adding more or applying a moisturizer.

You also want to maintain product quality. To do so, keep your serum away from light to prevent oxidation of LAA. Also make sure the container is airtight and stored where it’s cool, because high temperatures can cause vitamin C to degrade. To ensure better absorption, look for low-pH products, with a pH of about 3.5.

Contact LDI for Professional Skin Rejuvenation Services

If you’re looking for a more proactive approach to skin rejuvenation, such as laser and RF treatment, contact the Laser & Dermatology Institute of California. Effective, non-invasive techniques are available that require little recovery and downtime. If you desire to regain your confidence, we offer the best skin rejuvenation services in Southern California. Contact our main location—LDI of Covina—to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help; or feel free to use our Self-Scheduler or Quick Contact Form.