Benefits of Vitamin C Serum

I wanted to touch on vitamin C serum and why it is so important.  I usually tell my patients if I could get them to purchase two things to help with anti-aging it would be sunscreen and a medical grade vitamin C.  Sunscreen is important for protecting our skin from damaging UV rays but, it does not protect against free radicals that breakdown our collagen.  I have another blog post about the importance of stimulating collagen and vitamin C serum plays a major role in this process.  Even though you may take it orally, there is no guarantee it is going straight to your skin.

Who needs to use vitamin C serums?  Quick answer—EVERYONE!  All skin types can use vitamin C.  Normal, dry, combination, sensitive and yes even oily skin.  My skin is super oily and I find my serum actually helps combat the oiliness.  I suggest most everyone should be using a medical grade vitamin C starting in your early 20s.

What are the benefits of vitamin C serum?  The main benefit is to protect our precious collagen against free radical damage.  It also helps hydrate the skin.  It will help brighten our complexion.  It will minimize redness, reduce sun spots, age spots and melasma.  It promotes collagen synthesis which helps minimize wrinkles and signs of aging.

What does vitamin C serum do for the skin?  Excessive exposure to UV rays causes the skin to look dull, uneven, and discolored.  Vitamin C serums are going to work to combat these effects by stopping these rays from penetrating the deeper layers of skin.  When this happens, collagen starts to breaks down.  Potent C serums will actually reverse this process and help with stimulating collagen, aid in cell turn over and protect your healthy skin cells.

Why use a medical grade serum?  Not all serums are created equal.  Most of the time the over the counter vitamin C serums are not potent enough to make a difference in the skin.  The type of vitamin c and the concentration is very important when choosing your vitamin C.

What to look for in a vitamin C serum.  L-ascorbic acid with a concentration between 10-20 percent.

Combinations.  L-ascorbic acid with vitamin E, or glutathione, ferulic acid.

Packaging.  Dark or tinted glass bottles with airless delivery.

L-ascorbic acid is the most effective.  It also should be listed in the first 5 ingredients.  10-20 percent concentration is plenty.  Going over the 20 percent mark can cause irritation and does not increase its benefit.

L-ascorbic acid combined with vitamin E helps to stabilize vitamin C for maximum skin protection.  Ferulic acid is another great ingredient.  This helps lower the pH level of vitamin C to help skin better absorb the serum.

The way vitamin C is packaged is also very important.  Any exposure to air, light and heat can degrade the serum.  Look for product that comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper.

Also be aware of the expiration time of the serum.  Most vitamin C serums are yellow but if they start to turn dark orange or brown it has gone bad.  If your serum starts out clear but then turns yellow that is another sign it has oxidized and will be less effective.

When should you apply your vitamin C serum?  I advise my patients to apply their serum during their morning skin care routine.  After you have washed your face, pat dry then apply 3 to 4 drops in your palm and gently massage into face and neck.  Once that has dried may apply additional moisturizer and then sunscreen.  Some serums recommend applying twice daily.  You may do this if you would like but if you have sensitive skin I would apply only once daily.

Favorite vitamin C serums.  I do recommend a medical grade vitamin C serum.  In the long run your results are going to be better.  Most of these can be found online at the Dermstore or your local medical spa.

Obagi Medical Professional C Serum 20% (Best Anti-Aging)

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (Best Overall for all skin types)

IS Clinical Proheal Serum Advance + (soothes and calms sensitive skin)

So there we have it!  Hope you enjoying reading about the importance of incorporating a vitamin C serum into your daily routine.  Your skin is your largest organ and you need to take good care of it!  See you in the next blog!