Nowadays, if you are in the beauty/anti-aging scene, or the skincare game in general, then you would have most likely heard of Vitamin C serum. It is the new king of beauty products as it is touted to be by popular dermatologists and beauty bloggers.

Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant that help in the production of collagen which in turn repair damages done by free radicals and the sun, thus, reducing the signs of aging. Although it can’t replace a sunscreen, it has been known to also protect the body against future damage. The usage of vitamin C always result in great results like firmer and brighter skins, fewer wrinkles, and even skin tone.

Even though we most likely have some percentages of vitamin C is our diets, the best way to reap the benefits of these magical nutrients is by making use of these serums and other topical products as there is no way to ensure the ones you ingest will get to your skin in the long run.

If after all these, you are still in doubt (as you should be) about the advantages of adding the vitamin C serum to your skincare routine, then here is a couple more reasons to buttress my point:

• It is safe for most skin types

If you are the type that has a very reactive skin, that is, no matter the results of a product on a friend’s body, your body always react adversely, then the serum is exactly for you. Vitamin C is extremely safe for most skin types. Majority of people use it for long periods with no adverse effect whatsoever and even in the rare cases where a reaction was detected, it was nothing more than a minor rash.

Apart from this, the best part is that it can be used alongside other beauty products. So, you don’t have to wait to finish a regimen before you can use it. You can use it alongside active ingredients like retinols, alpha hydroxyl acids, and SPF.

• It is hydrating

This is a plus especially for people living in tropical environments. Now you don’t have to fear the effects of dehydration on that beautiful skin of yours. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C in skincare products have been known to exhibit strong hydrating effects on the skin. This protects against trans epidermal water loss, thereby helping the skin to retain moisture better.

• It promotes collagen production

As it is well known, one of the major functions of vitamin C is the production of collagen. Now what most people don’t know is the function of collagen in the body; collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body that reduces over time. Lower levels of this protein leads to wrinkles and other aging signs.

Although there are other ways of boosting collagen levels, the use of vitamin C serum will prevent the reduction of collagen levels and thereby fight against aging, and it is also one of the most effective methods.

• It helps skin tone

For so many reasons, people normally end up with uneven skin tone. Vitamin C has been known to treat this problem, helping to fade out pigmentation and generally blending the skin tone into one uniform tone. It has also been known to treat a variety of inflammatory skin conditions which often leads to a more blended complexion.

• It protects against free radicals

Free radicals are molecules that are created in the body as a result of sun damage among other things. These free radical are dangerous because they are missing an electron which they try to steal from other atoms in the body, leading to skin damage of varying degrees.

Vitamin C on the other hand is a rich source of antioxidants. These molecules give these free radicals their missing electron, safely rendering them harmless while protecting the healthy skin cells.

Usage

Even though vitamin C is well tolerated by everyone, we need to always remember that all skin care products have a possible of giving side effects. This can be avoided however by following some laid down rules.

Firstly, you should always do a patch test for any new product you want to use. This is to assess your possibility of having an adverse reaction to the product and Vitamin C serum shouldn’t be left out. In case you don’t know how to perform this test, it is as follows;

1. Pick a part of your skin that you can easily conceal

2. Apply a small amount and wait (24 hours)

3. If there are no adverse reactions then you can apply to your face. However, you need to stop use if you discover any form of reaction like rash, redness, or hives.

Secondly, when applying the product, it is important to follow the guidelines. However, vitamin C serum is usually applied once or twice daily. A very good way to use it is to cleanse, tone, apply the serum, and then moisturize.

As said earlier, vitamin C serum can be used with other active ingredients, but some ingredients like niacinamide might make vitamin C less effective.

Picking a Product to Try

There are a lot of products in the market with varying concentrations and even variants of vitamin C and this can make it difficult to pick a product. The major thing to have in mind when in search of which Vitamin C serum to use is that you need a product with high concentration. However, it shouldn’t be high enough that it starts irritating the skin. According to Debra Jaliman, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, the recommended concentration should be between 10 to 15%.

Also, the reason there are so many variants of Vitamin C is because they are being produced to have more stability and less possibility of producing an adverse effect. When looking for a product, you need to go for one that works best for your skin. Some examples of common variants include ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.

Conclusion

Vitamin C is a very good skin product that helps battle aging, blemishes, and a couple other skin related conditions. It is extremely good as touted by a wide array of professionals in the beauty scene.

Consistency with your vitamin C serum is very important in order to achieve maximum effect, so it is advised to add it to your routine is such a way that is perfect for you. It can be used in the morning because of its protective property against sun damage, and it can also be used at night before bed.

If you experience any adverse reaction like irritation, it is advised to discontinue use pending a consultation with your dermatologist.