Vitamin C Benefits for the Skin

So, lets talk about vitamin C.  In 2005, I got my hands on a vitamin C cream that changed the way I look at vitamins for the skin.  The product was from Neova and it was their only vitamin C cream at the time.  I don't think they carry it any longer, but when I put it on my skin for the first time, I was amazed at the silky creaminess.  It was really rich and almost felt a little siliconey.  It glided right on. It was moisturizing and a great base for my make up.  But the biggest effect I noticed was that my skin was glowing.  The more I used it, the more my skin had this youthful healthy glow.  I loved it.  Then I was able to try the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic which became an all-time favorite of mine.  I love vitamin C!  There are soo many more benefits to it than what I first experienced.  The more I use it the more I love it.  I mean, it's no miracle cream or anything, but I really see awesome results when I use it.

One thing that a topical vitamin C can do for your skin is fight against free radicals because it's such a strong antioxidant. 

What is an Antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a molecule that neutralizes damaging free radicals. 

Free radicals are unstable molecules that destroy the structure of the skin and accelerate premature aging. (You know that gross look in the air that sometimes comes around winter...INVERSION!  Polution,,smoke from cigarettes, car exhaust, the sun, etc... ) They are generated by UV exposure, pollution and other damaging environmental elements and can be a chief cause of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Because vitamin C is used so much in cosmetics now, it can get confusing because there are many forms, each with its own name formulated in varying amounts. Here’s what you need to know:

• The forms of vitamin C that are proven most stable and effective are: ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
• A proven range for vitamin C efficacy is between 0.3% and 10%.
• All antioxidants, including vitamin C, are vulnerable to deterioration in the presence of air and light. If a product containing antioxidants does not come in airtight, opaque packaging, don’t buy it!

These are the different kinds of vitamin C as listed on the ingredients on lables., and how you can tell if they are good for your skin or not.

• L-Ascorbic Acid (also called ascorbic acid): this is basic, untouched vitamin C. This form is from citric acid and may be undesirable to use on your skin – if it is extra sensitive. It is often used in exfoliates, because of the acid.
• Ascorbyl palmitate: derivative of vitamin C. It is the most common form used in skin care, being less acidic. 
• Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate: also a derivative; it is rapidly gaining in popularity as an ingredient. It s also less acidic and more stable than vitamin C; but may not often have a high enough concentration in many products to cause collagen production.
• Tetrasubstituted lipophilic ascorbates: these are probably the forms of vitamin C that you will start to see in the very near future. Cheaper than some of the other, they also may have the same effects on collagen production as vitamin C.

So what can vitamin C really do?

Here’s what a well-formulated, stably-packaged product with vitamin C can do for your skin:

• More Concentrated than nutritional Vitamin C
• Rapidly absorbed so it won’t rub or wash off
• Greater penetration to the epidermis and dermis, greater benefit
• Neutralizes free radical damage caused by UV light, smoke, and air pollution
• Allows skin cells to remain healthy and able to perform their necessary functions
• Enhances the protective barrier function of the skin
• Helps moisturize and increase skin hydration
• Stimulates collagen production
• Restores elasticity
• Prevents premature skin aging
• Protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays
• Reverses the appearance of photoaging
• Decreases fine lines and wrinkles
• Lightens and brightens the skin for more even tone
• Fades brown spots
• Helps reduce oiliness and restore sebum balance
• Helps to normalize problem skin (pimples, blackheads, and other problems associated with oily skin)
• Anti-inflammatory
• Can lessen redness and sunburn if applied before (or after) sun exposure (Reference 1)
• When combined with sunscreen, can enhance the power of sunscreens (Reference 2)

WOW!  That's a lot of REALLY good things that a great vitamin C cream or serum can do for your skin! Now you can go out and find a really great vitamin C product for your skin!  Remember that vitamin C always does your skin better when applied in the morning.   
I firmly believe that just as vitamin C heals us from ailments from the inside out, it can heal us from the outside in as well!  So be sure to swallow your vitamin C daily as well!

Cheers!