Everything you need to know about Vitamin C
Glowing, youthful complexion here we come! Vitamin C is an ingredient bounced around a lot in the health and beauty industry, and for good reason. Medical experts encourage us to include Vitamin C in our diet to for all round good health, as it protects and promotes healthy organs. While Vitamin C, when used as a topical skincare product, also boasts a melange of skin benefits. So, if a radiant, plump, and youthful complexion are some of the skincare goals you wish to achieve, including Vitamin C in your beauty routine is essential.
What are the benefits of Vitamin C in Skincare?
“While Vitamin C works to protect the skin and prevent any signs of ageing, it is also known for it's reparative properties.“
Vitamin C is an essential ingredient in skincare with a plethora of skin benefits.
It is an antioxidant, meaning it prevents oxidation, which is essential to protect your skin barrier against environmental aggressors - also known as free radicals - and harmful UV rays, all of which can damage your skin’s DNA, break down collagen and elastin, as well as contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and blemishes.
While Vitamin C works to protect the skin, and prevent any signs of ageing, it is also known for its reparative properties.
This key skincare ingredient reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, brown spots, and dark under eye circles, which can make us look tired, lacklustre and beyond our years.
Vitamin C also provides the skin with necessary hydration, as it decreases Transepidermal Water Loss (TWL) to ensure your skin retains moisture, which consequently leaves your skin looking radiant and plump.
We can’t forget to mention one of the most popular characteristics Vitamin C is synonymous for, and that is brightening the complexion and promoting the production of collagen, which is essential for glowing, plump and youthful skin.
How to use Vitamin C
Toning for Oily/Combination Skin “Reaching for a toner with gentle exfoliating properties is a saviour for oily and combination skin.“
Vitamin C is an ingredient found in a whole host of topical skincare products.
The hero ingredient can be formulated with other skincare ingredients, or found as a sole topical product, and the concentration levels can vary between 10% to 20%.
We recommend beginners who are including Vitamin C into their skincare routine for the first time to opt for a lower potency at first, so you can assess your skin’s sensitivity before increasing the dosage.
Some skincare experts recommend including Vitamin C in your morning and evening skincare regimen, and though this can depend on the product, we recommend using Vitamin C in the morning to give your skin the boost of luminosity and elasticity to leave you looking bright eyed and bushy tailed first thing.
Navigating an effective skincare routine to include Vitamin C is simple, all you have to do is apply your Vitamin C product after cleansing your skin, once it has been absorbed follow with a hydrating moisturiser and SPF.
What Vitamin C dose is best for you?
“If you are introducing Vitamin C into your skincare regime for the first time, start with a low concentration of 8% or 10%, and apply once a day, especially in the morning.“
Vitamin C can be included in a moisturiser, but it can also come as a standalone serum, which we recommend to ensure your skin is getting the TLC it needs.
If you are introducing Vitamin C into your skincare regime for the first time, start with a low concentration of 8% or 10%, and apply once a day, especially in the morning.
If after a few weeks your skin has taken to it well, or you would like to increase your use, or dosage, to see more effects, you can incorporate into your evening beauty routine, or gradually increase the potency.
We urge beauty enthusiasts not to use a Vitamin C product that exceeds 20% concentration as it could cause irritation.
What are the best Vitamin C products?
“Skin Pharmacy is the go-to trusted skincare hub for a whole host of beauty essentials to target a variety of skin concerns..“
Beauty buffs can shop a variety of Vitamin C products from a whole host of brands, including expertly curated bundles, and we have whittled down our favourites to help achieve a
We Recommend
| Best Overall Vitamin C Product: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum (30ml), £150 |
Best Vitamin C on a Budget: Medik8 C Tetra Cream (50ml), £45 |
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| Best Vitamin C for Mid-Range Concentration: Obagi Medical | Professional C Serum 15% (30ml), £130.50 |
Best Vitamin C For Beginners: ALLSKIN MED C Radiance Gel, £65 |
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| Best Vitamin C For Maximum Strength: Alumier MD EverActive C & E + Peptide, £173.50 |
Best For Pure Vitamin C: Medik8 Pure C15 Serum, £47 |
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| Top Rated Vitamin C Product: Alumier MD Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Versatile Tint, £43.50 |
Best Vitamin C Bundle: Obagi Medical | Ultimate Antioxidant Kit with Cool SPF, £508 |
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