Why is vitamin C serum good for the skin?Updated a year ago
Vitamin C’s positive effects on the skin are well accepted by dermatologists and the scientific community at large. Research shows that it can help with a very wide range of skin concerns by both helping the skin preserve its health and by reversing damage.
Brightens complexion and fades dark spots
The most famous Vitamin C skin benefit is its ability to radically boost skin radiance and visibly fade hyperpigmentation and dark marks. It works by interfering with the process that leads to the overproduction of melanin in the skin.
This, in combination with vitamin C’s ability to improve overall skin functions, leads to the skin looking brighter and more even with regular use. In our research on our Vitamin C Superserum, 84% of participants observed a brighter, more even complexion within just two weeks.
What’s clear is that vitamin C can do an even better job of brightening the skin when it’s used in conjunction with other skin-renewing ingredients like retinol and chemical exfoliants.
Actively fades fine lines and wrinkles
It’s well-accepted that the best cosmetic ingredient for wrinkles is retinol, which fundamentally alters the behavior of cells, but there is a respectable amount of literature showing that vitamin C can help, as well. Much like retinol, vitamin C has been found to improve the look of fine lines and deeper wrinkles, whether caused by photodamage or genetic aging.
With age or exposure to pollutants and UV light, the skin’s production of collagen, the protein that maintains the skin’s firmness, can be disrupted. With less collagen, the skin is less capable of resisting gravity or bouncing back from a facial expression and keeping its smoothness, which is part of the reason why wrinkles form.
Most researchers believe that vitamin C reduces wrinkles and improves skin firmness by promoting collagen synthesis, but it’s highly likely that it boosts a few other skin functions, for an overall healthier complexion.
Protection: Your friendly neighborhood antioxidant
Vitamin C isn’t just useful if you’re looking to reverse damage to the skin. It’s also a great preservationist. It’s basically the most potent antioxidant you can find in skincare, and hence lies its power as a skin protector.
The extent to which it protects the skin from the evil influences of a harsh environment is unparalleled. Vitamin c scours the skin for issues and helps out as your friendly neighborhood vitamin (get it?) wherever it's needed.
But what is an antioxidant (aside from that thing that’s supposed to be in all of your smoothies)? Basically, antioxidants are ingredients that block oxidation, which is the same process that turns your avocado brown and causes metal to rust.
When our skin is exposed to destructive elements like the sun and pollution, it gets damaged in the same way (also called free radical damage). Oxidation forms free radicals, which are incomplete molecules that go hunting on the skin for an electron to complete them.
When the skin is saturated with vitamin C, the super antioxidant donates that missing electron and stops a chain reaction in its track. This prevents further collagen degradation, fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots, helping your skin stay gorgeous.
Gives your SPF a boost
Recently, dermatologists have been singing vitamin C’s praises for a new reason: It can actually boost your sunscreen. Sunscreens work by very literally blocking the sun’s rays, but sunscreen filters are also susceptible to oxidation over time. It’s part of the reason why we have to reapply sunscreen throughout the day! Vitamin C boosts the photoprotective effect of sunscreen, resulting in better protection.
And that’s not all, folks!
We covered the most major benefits of vitamin C, but since its skin benefits come from its ability to aid with all kinds of skin processes, there’s actually a lot more it might be able to do. Vitamin C has been found to help improve overall skin texture and tone, prevent dehydration, and may even help erase the redness and swelling associated with breakouts or sensitivity through its soothing action.