Vitamin C serums have become a staple in many skincare routines and are hailed for their brightening properties and potential to improve overall skin health. An essential nutrient, Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting and improving skin health. Although there is a lot of buzz around this ingredient, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the same that masks its benefits. This leaves many confused over how to effectively incorporate vitamin C serum for oily skin into their regimen.
In this blog, we will dеbunk common myths about vitamin C for the skin, Vitamin C serum benefits for skin, and the science behind it.
What is Vitamin C?
The skin's structure consists of two layers: the outer epidermal layer providing barrier function and the inner dermal layer providing strength and nutrition.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that supports collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection. It plays a crucial role in skin healing, supports the immune system, aids iron absorption, and protects against sun damage and ageing. Research suggests potential benefits include sun protection, wrinkle improvement, acne reduction, and redness reduction.
Exploring Vitamin C Serum
If you know a thing or two about skincare, you've probably come across vitamin C serums. Vitamin C face serum for glowing skin helps even out uneven skin tone among other benefits it offers.
While you might be getting a healthy dose of vitamin C through your diet, it may not be enough for your skin. Serums and other topical products can be the quickest and most effective way to deliver the same. You can also buy vitamin C serum online that suits your skin.
Vitamin C Serums Benefits Explained
A Safe Bet -
Vitamin C is considered one of the least toxic elements. It means that most can use topical vitamin C for prolonged periods with very little to no skin irritation.
According to a 2017 review of research, vitamin C may cause some mild skin irritation if used in concentrations above 20%. Choose a concentration according to your skin’s needs to avoid skin irritation.
Skin Brightening
In addition to fading pigmentation, vitamin C can smooth the skin's surface and reduce dullness.
Vitamin C is Hydrating
The notable presence of vitamin C in the skin and other healthy organs suggests that vitamin C builds up within the human body from within the vascular system.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is another derivative of vitamin C used in skin care that is considered to be hydrating. It also reduces TEWL, allowing your skin to retain moisture better.
Vitamin C Evens Out Your Skin Tone
Vitamin C also offers anti-inflammatory benefits thanks to its antioxidant properties. This implies that it calms the skin and can relieve puffiness.
The anti-inflammatory effect of Vitamin C may also serve to neutralize the free radicals that cause oxidative damage, and potentially enhance immune clearance and prevent an inflammatory immune response.
Vitamin C Serum Myths Explained
Vitamin C Can Replace Sunscreen
Any vitamin C-infused skincare product is not an alternative to sunscreen. It can help enhance the sun-protection benefits of sunscreen and acts as an added line of defence.
Additionally, it also helps treat the ill effects of sun damage, preventing dark spots and premature ageing. For best results, vitamin C serum must be applied before using a moisturiser and sunscreen.
Vitamin C Serum Causes Breakouts
People with oily skin may not use vitamin C serum on their faces due to concerns regarding breakouts.
However, the market is flooded with multiple good serums that are lightweight and have non-comedogenic formulas. Choose a serum targeted at acne-prone or oily skin to avoid breakouts.
Vitamin C Must Be Applied in the Morning
There is a common belief that vitamin C serum should only be applied in the morning to protect the skin against environmental stress.
It can also be effective in the evening due to its antioxidant properties, which neutralize free radicals and aid in the skin's natural repair processes, enhancing brightness and skin texture.
Vitamin C Is Only for Dry Skin
Vitamin C is suitable for all skin types, oily skin included. A light vitamin C serum will help control sebum production while delivering antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals and make it a jack-of-all-trades in any skincare lineup.
All Vitamin C Serums Are the Same
Vitamin C serums have a different composition, with ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate being the most common varieties. An oily skin type should go for formulations containing stabilizers and those in opaque containers.
What Science Says about Vitamin C
A 2019 study has shown that an antipollution antioxidant serum containing Deschampsia antarctica extract, ferulic acid, and vitamin C reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 19% and helps improve skin barrier function. Niacinamide serum is the best to restore the barrier and soothe your skin.
Vitamin C has been shown, in a review published in 2017, to prevent the biosynthesis of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Therefore, the inhibition of melanin production makes using Vitamin C serum for dark spots a great option.
The Takeaway
There are many vitamin C myths and facts, but once you get the concept of using Vitamin C serum right, it will be easier for you to know if you have to incorporate it into your skincare routine or not. If you have sensitive skin and want to be extra safe, always choose the best vitamin C serum recommended by a dermatologist. Moreover, do a patch test by applying a thin layer on your arm before applying it on your face, and only do so every other day.
When choosing serums to prevent breakouts, pick ones that are formulated for your respective skin types, and remember to sun-protect with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. And when all your doubts are cleared, and you’re ready to vitamin C your skin’s BFF, get ready to flaunt radiant, glowing skin everyday.
