Why do I need a Vitamin C serum?

Why do you need a Vitamin C serum? Because it’s skin’s best friend.

Vitamin C, when applied topically in a skin-friendly form, can prevent sun-damage, slow the signs of ageing, and help improve the appearance of pigmentation, sun blemishes, wrinkles and acne. 

Vitamin C is a vital component in collagen production. We all know good skin starts with a good diet, so including lots of Vitamin C-rich foods in your daily menu will help with maintaining skin health from the inside, but applying Vitamin C serums to the face makes a clear difference to the outside, too.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it fights harmful free radicals (toxins) that come in contact with your skin from external sources like air pollution, or from inside the body as a result of normal processes like your metabolism. 

Vitamin C has also been shown to combat photo-ageing - the fine lines, dark spots and dullness that comes from exposure to the sun over time. In studies it has been shown that skin exposed to UV rays has a reduced levels of Vitamin C content, which the scientists running the study say indicates that it is targeted by the oxidants induced by UV exposure, which is a complicated way of saying that Vitamin C fights the free radicals released by sun exposure, so the more Vitamin C, the stronger the fight. I ALWAYS apply a booster of Vitamin C serum after a day in the sun. I know my SPF is doing its job to keep UVA and UVB from affecting my skin, but short of staying indoors with all the curtains closed, nothing is infallible, so feeding the skin with what it needs to fight and repair damage is an obvious course of action to take.

In short - we need to eat foods packed with Vitamin C to maximise skin health at any age, and apply a Vitamin C serum to boost skin’s ability to fight off the photo-aging damage of daily exposure to UV rays. It doesn’t mean you can stop using SPF. Always use an SPF!

Is it good to use vitamin C serum everyday?

I say yes, you should use a Vitamin C serum every day - but not everybody can tolerate an immediate application seven days a week. Vitamin C is an acid, and as such an active ingredient - it doesn’t just sit there, looking pretty. Those with more sensitive skin might experience redness, irritation, or even breakouts. I always recommend you start slowly when introducing a Vitamin C serum to your daily routine. At first, try it every other day. If you experience any skin tingling, don’t wash it off, it won’t harm you, but leave it a couple of days before re-applying. Your skin will gradually adjust and side-effects should disappear. If they don’t stop, stop the applications and speak to your skincare specialist.

Vitamin C is not a mixer

Vitamin C is, as I say above, an acid. This means that if you already use an acid -  an AHA, Glycolic or Salycylic on a daily basis, do not leave these in place when you want to use Vitamin C serum. Use these as an exfoliating wash, but not in serum form, or it could prove too much for your skin to handle. If you want to use a leave-on AHA, it’s best to use it as an overnight treatment. 

Are all Vitamin C serums the same?

No, not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. As with any skincare that promises visible improvement, many brands have jumped on the bandwagon and by stating their product contains Vitamin C, suggest it’s just what you need. But this of course cannot be the case. The type and concentration of Vitamin C, what other ingredients have been added, and even the packaging can affect its efficiency.

Vitamin C in a list of ingredients will be shown as Ascorbic or L-Ascorbic Acid. You want it to be the key ingredient, so it needs to be right at the front end of the ingredients list. The inclusion of Vitamin E, or in an ingredients list, tocopherol, is also really important, as this helps stabilise Vitamin C for maximum efficacy. Think of them as great mates that bring out the best in each other. You should also look for Ferulic Acid, which helps lower the pH level of Vitamin C (the acidity level) making it less likely to irritate the skin.

Finally avoid clear bottles, as exposure to light can impact the contents.

When developing my Vitamin C serums, Power AOX and Serum C, I was very clear with the laboratory helping me create the formula. It needed to be super-simple, no fussing about, just a really focussed, easy-to-use Vitamin C serum every one of my clients could use. 

Serum C is what I describe as my ‘starter serum’. It’s designed for people new to the use of Vitamin C, but who want to add an antioxidant to their skincare routine. It contains Vitamin C in the form of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, form of vitamin C that "is considered to be one of the more stable forms of the vitamin and won’t trigger any skin tingling or redness. It contains Vitamin E, of course, but has no need of ferulic acid as it’s already low pH.

My Power AOX is like bringing out the big guns, a serum shot that applied daily (you may need to build up to that, of course) will brighten skin, support collagen synthesis and throw all it has at those pesky free-radicals. It has a very high level of L-ascorbic acid, 20%, but this is balanced by ferulic acid, of course, to cut the pH. And yes, Vitamin C’s bestie, Vitamin E is there too - we wouldn’t be without her! 

Why a Vitamin C serum, not a moisturiser?

You want to use it in serum form, ideally, because you want it, in concentration, next to your skin. Moisturisers are brilliant at hydrating, feeding and keeping skin feeling lovely, but Vitamin C is not a mixer, as you know, and moisturisers have enough going on and are unlikely to contain the levels of Vitamin C you really need to be effective.

Vitamin C serums - which to use, when and how often - can feel quite a complicated thing. It’s something I absolutely recommend you add to your daily routine, however, so if you want to talk it through, give us a call and we can have a chat and decide the best approach for you, and beautiful, healthy, protected, skin.