VITAMIN C has so many impressive health benefits but my most favourite of them all is Producing New Collagen Production!
Collagen is essential for our skin health and several other aspects of health throughout our body. On it's own, its great for hydrating the skin, helping it to look plump and healthy, alleviating joint pain, bone pain and connective tissue pain, it can improve gut health, and it can strengthen hair and nails.
One vitamin that is needed for the formation of collagen is vitamin C. It also happens to be very important for our skin's health too. Vitamin C deficiency and collagen deficiency can both have a serious effect
on our health.
Vitamin C is needed for the synthesis and maintenance of collagen, as it has an active role in collagen synthesis. It also acts as sort of a glue that binds collagen fibres together.
As we age our natural collagen production decreases by roughly 1% each year once we reach our 20's.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body.
Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, more youthful appearance. It also helps to detox your body, especially your gut and liver, which is necessary to remove toxins and impurities that could affect your skin.
UV RAYS also break down our Collagen so it's
Important to Apply sunscreen every day rain or shine.
You can take a vitamin C supplement daily as well, this will ensure you're getting enough vitamin C. However, it is best to get most of your vitamins through healthy food sources.
The vitamin C in our food helps promote healthy skin. So eat up your fruits and vegetables. Not only a glass of orange juice but citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, kale, broccoli, strawberries and kiwi are some of the healthy foods we can eat that are packed with this Super anti-aging ingredient.
SKINCARE AND VITAMIN C
Vitamin C does also work wonders on the skin topically, serums and creams that contain vitamin C are great for renewing skin cells, repairing damage, and making our skin glow. Topical vitamin C can be strong, so it's important to wear sunscreen as well.
Vitamin C has 3 main functions. The first is protecting against environmental stressors and free radicals, an antioxidant benefit that slows signs of aging and reducing damage overall. Vitamin C also promotes collagen production, giving our skin more support and structure. Finally, vitamin C is a radiance-boosting agent, so a serum that features it can work to even skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation (sun-damage).
When choosing a vitamin C serum here are some of my tips:
CHOOSE L-ABSORBIC ACID
This form of topical vitamin C is the most active and the most researched. Skincare products sometimes contain other types that aren't as effective, like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl palmitate. Always check the label so that you get the most evidence and clinical trials behind it.
PICK A POTENT PRODUCT
Look for serums with a concentration of vitamin C between 10% and 20%. Anything lower may not bring the promised benefits, and any higher could irritate your skin without bringing any additional benefits.
WHEN TO APPLY VITAMIN C
Vitamin C serum is typically applied once or twice per day. Although topical vitamin C serum is generally well tolerated, all skin products have the potential to cause side effects/irritation. So always do a patch test on your forearm and wait 24 hours to see how your skin reacts to the new active skincare product you just brought on. The following day when your skin has no reaction you can apply full application to your full face and neck as instructed on the product's label.
BE CAREFUL WITH COMBINATIONS
Go easy if you want to use a vitamin C serum along with other acidic or active skincare products like retinol. If used together they could irritate your skin. Consider using them on alternating days rather than at the same time. Niacinamide may also make vitamin C less effective so if using them both then use on alternate days.
BE SMART ABOUT STORING YOUR VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is inherently unstable and quickly broken down when exposed to any light and/or oxygen. Look for products that come housed in opaque bottles and bonus if they have an air-tight pump dispenser. Similarly, always make sure to store your vitamin C serums in a cool, dark place.
I use the SkinCeutical C E Ferulic Serum
Best for Skin Types: Dry, Normal, Combination, and Sensitive
Skin Concerns: Sensitized, Dehydrated, Aging, Discolouration
Benefits:
Provides advanced environmental protection by neutralizing damaging free radicals
Visible anti-aging benefits, such as the improvement of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brighten's skin's complexion
Neutralizes free radicals on the upper layer of the skin to help prevent the impact of ozone damage to the skin
Once absorbed, this vitamin C serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours
Parabon-free and ideal for normal, dry, and sensitive skin types
Vitamin C is something we should all integrate into our skincare and eat more of to help combat the signs of aging and also protect our skin from all the environmental stressors it takes on daily.
Are you using a Vitamin C serum ? Comment below, I'd love to hear about the one you're using and how much you're loving the results from it.
- Amy