Vitamin C: It’s not just for when you’re getting a cold. This essential antioxidant is found in the food you eat as well as vitamin supplements you’ll see in the health and wellness section. And when used both topically and taken orally, Vitamin C serum benefits for your skin are endless!
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid (AA), is a compound that is known to support your immune system, is vital to support your body's natural collagen production, and has important antioxidant functions. It is a water-soluble vitamin that can be extracted from various plants and fruits; however, it is most commonly associated with citrus fruits like oranges, where it is most abundant. As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C is not only beneficial to our bodies internally, it also supports a brighter, firmer, and more youthful-looking complexion topically. Vitamin C serum is known to provide benefits to all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin, by improving skin texture and promoting natural collagen production.
Types of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient in the skincare world, offering benefits for all skin types. From brightening to antioxidant support, Vitamin C can help maintain a youthful and radiant-looking complexion. But did you know that not all Vitamin C is created equal? There are different types of Vitamin C, each with its unique benefits and uses. Here are four types you should know about.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDC)
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDC) is an oil-soluble Vitamin C ester that is highly stable, making it an ideal choice for skincare products. It is known for its ability to help the skin from UV-induced oxidative stress, while improving the appearance of dark spots on the skin. THDC is an ideal option for those looking for a reliable antioxidant serum suitable for sensitive skin types.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Ascorbyl Glucoside is another stable form of Vitamin C that brings all the antioxidant benefits of traditional Vitamin C. It works similarly to Ascorbic Acid (AA) but with added stability. If you are looking for a Vitamin C derivative that helps against environmental stressors while maintaining a gentle profile, Ascorbyl Glucoside is an ideal option.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a Vitamin C derivative known for its ability to enhance the antioxidant power of skincare products. It is especially beneficial for those dealing with acne, as it may help reduce visible inflammation and acne lesions. With its stability and effectiveness, it is a solid addition to products targeting acne-prone skin.
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is an ideal choice for those seeking skin-brightening benefits. It helps to visibly even out skin tone and reduce discoloration, leaving you with a glowing complexion. If you are looking to brighten your skin, this option may benefit you.
What Does Vitamin C Do For Skin?
As an antioxidant, Vitamin C is known to defend against harmful free radicals that are found throughout your environment. These molecules interact with skin cells and damage them, leading to various adverse effects, including wrinkles, pigmentation, and even acne breakouts. Vitamin C can help support your skin in many ways and has a lot of research behind it, making it a holy grail ingredient within the skincare industry.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum can be incorporated into your skin care routine with other ingredients like ferulic acid, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid to promote the appearance of nourished skin. When you’re incorporating ingredients like Vitamin C into your skincare routine, it’s essential to know when to apply the product to get the most out of it. Because Vitamin C is an antioxidant, it’s best utilized in your morning skincare routine before you encounter the UV rays from sun exposure and other environmental stressors of the day.
Most often formulated in a serum, topical Vitamin C products should be applied after cleansing and toner application. Follow up with a good moisturizer and a high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen, and you’re set for all-day protection.
Vitamin C serums can be used every day and, over time, have been shown to visibly reduce the effects of aging, such as pigmentation and fine lines. You may notice a few short- and long-term differences when you start to use Vitamin C serum, including the appearance of a more even skin tone and firmer-looking skin.
How Do You Know if Your Vitamin C Serum is Working?
One drawback to L-ascorbic acid is that it can oxidize easily. At Epicuren Discovery, we make sure to pack our products that include Vitamin C in airtight, opaque containers to help the product stay effective for longer, with less exposure to oxygen that causes it to fail. Our CXC Vitamin C serum is in an airless pump bottle and has a shea butter base. This enhances the levels of antioxidants and stabilizes the Vitamin C.
Our Vitamin C Products
The most potent of Epicuren Discovery’s Vitamin C products is our original CXC Vitamin C Complex, which is ideal for all skin types. This product is formulated with three forms of highly-stable Vitamin C derivatives that provide all the benefits of L-ascorbic acid while feeling less irritating and being suitable for sensitive skin types. You can also search for products by ingredient, which will also show you how we use ascorbic acid derivatives in products like the Defy Age Corrective Facial Oil.
Take Our Skin Quiz
Our catalog features science-backed formulas with effective natural ingredients like Vitamin C and other antioxidants that can take your skincare routine to the next level. Find products that are designed for your unique skin type and goals by taking our Skin Quiz today.
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Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5605218/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vitamin-c-serum
