How to Apply Vitamin C for Maximum Absorption
Not all vitamin c serums are created equally.
Whether your goal is to simplify your skincare routine or ramp it up, topical vitamin C should be part of your everyday regimen. Topical use of vitamin c will protect your skin against free radical damage, stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, and both treat and prevent pigmentation.
As with any formulation not all products are created equally and there are many factors to consider when choosing the best vitamin C serum for your skin.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against skin degradation. It neutralizes damaging free radicals that form in response to UV light. While consuming vitamin C is an excellent way to get antioxidant protection internally, the best way to achieve vitamin c’s protective benefits is to apply it directly to the skin. When we consume vitamin C, less than 7% makes it to the skin and almost none reaches the outer or epidermal layers. Applying it topically allows for a concentrated dose to be absorbed directly into the outer layers of the skin making it much more efficient.
Things you should know before choosing a vitamin C serum:
There are multiple factors to consider when selecting the best vitamin C serum. These factors include the formulation, where you purchase the product, and the packaging itself.
The formulation - there have been many studies to substantiate the effectiveness of vitamin C. The results of those studies conclude that L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) at concentrations of 10-20% with a low pH (less than 3.5) offer the most benefits for the skin. Always opt for a product that has been rigorously tested for quality, safety, and efficacy.
The retailer - counterfeit skincare and diversion are major challenges for the consumer. Unless you purchase from an authorized retailer you have no idea what you’re actually getting in the formulation. Using an inauthentic product can cause skin reactions and possibly even infections.
The packaging - vitamin C, although quite powerful, is a highly unstable molecule that can degrade quickly. Always choose a product in a dark glass bottle (never plastic) to reduce UV induced oxidation.
Proper storage - always store your vitamin C in a cool, dry place and never in direct sunlight. Ensure the bottle is tightly closed after use to reduce oxidation. If keeping it cool is challenging, store it in the refrigerator to ensure it maintains its potency.
Key benefits of vitamin C serums:
Reduces wrinkle depth
Increases collagen and elastin production
Protects collagen and elastin from free-radical induced degradation
Protects against UV induced sun damage
Reduces and prevents hyperpigmentation
Brightens skin tone
Increases the photoprotective abilities of sunscreen
Evens out skin tone
When and how to apply vitamin C serum:
Vitamin C serum can be applied in both the morning and evening. Vitamin C has tremendous photoprotective properties that help stave off oxidative stress from free radicals. Most oxidative stress happens during the day (UV light, xenobiotics, environmental pollutants, etc.) however vitamin c loses some of its potency when exposed to UV light which supports the argument for use in both the morning and in the evening. Fortunately, due to vitamin C’s powerful absorbing capacity it can’t be rubbed or washed off the skin. Studies have shown that vitamin C reservoirs in the epidermis for anywhere from 8-24 hours!
For maximizing vitamin c absorption, follow these steps!
Thoroughly cleanse skin to remove dirt, makeup, oil, and environmental toxins
Tone skin to balance pH and allow for maximum absorption of vitamin C
Apply 3-6 drops of vitamin C serum to dampened skin
Spread evenly across face, neck, and décolletage in a feathering motion
Firmly press (don’t rub) serum into the skin for deeper penetration
Wait 1-2 minutes for vitamin C serum to absorb
Use a targeted hydrator, corrective serum, and/or moisturizer
Apply SPF protection (anywhere from a nickel to quarter sized amount)
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