Vitamin C – one of those substances that have been investigated from and to, and still scientists are throwing us new ways to use ascorbic acid for their needs. The benefits of topical application of vitamin C for skin care are well understood. The substance is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which, however, is great for daily use. This vitamin can dramatically change your skin, and the effect of it increases over time.
Vitamin C Benefits for the Skin
Vitamin C is necessary for the normal functioning of cells and skin tissue, it is involved in the synthesis of collagen, maintaining the strength and integrity of the skin, healing wounds and protecting against free radicals and mitigating damage from UV rays.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is naturally found in high concentrations in the skin. As an antioxidant, it oxidizes (neutralizes) free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are formed from factors such as the sun, air pollution, stress and smoking. They damage DNA cells, which can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
Vitamin C also increases collagen production and repairs damaged areas of cells, which helps keep skin more supple and youthful. In addition, ascorbic acid also helps lighten freckles and age spots and prevent age spots.
Vitamin C is sensitive to sunlight, but not like vitamin A. In combination with sunscreen, ascorbic acid can enhance the action of SPF and more effectively protect the skin from damage by UV rays. Therefore, it is recommended to use it even in the daytime, but only in combination with sunscreens. And therefore, many Asian BB and CC creams with a high factor of protection against UVA and UVB rays contain vitamin C. And therefore, many Asian women in their 50s look at 30.
If you may be too young to use retinol and other antioxidants, then never for vitamin C. It is recommended to use it even at the age of 20 if you want to preserve youthful skin for a long time.
Vitamin C works most effectively on the surface of the skin, so it does not have to penetrate into the deeper layers of the dermis. But you should not expect an instant effect, ascorbic acid acts in the long term.
How to choose the best vitamin C remedy
Not all caring cosmetics with ascorbic acid are equally good. There are 3 main factors that must be considered when searching for the perfect product: the form of vitamin C, the formula of the drug, and concentration.
Vitamin C Form: in caring cosmetics, ascorbic acid can be in various forms: L-ascorbic acid, tetrahydroxidecyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. But not all of them are equal in terms of stability and absorption rate. As with all active skin care ingredients, it is important that the vitamin C product has good bioavailability and penetration. In other words, it is important that the ingredient can get where it is needed and fulfill its purpose in a quality manner. Most serums and creams in the beauty market contain vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid, but some cosmeceutical brands prefer to use a more complex ester form – tetrahydroxydecyl ascorbate. This form may be more effective, but it is not so stable, in high concentrations it causes irritation.
Concentration: this is mainly an acid strength factor. The recommended concentration for home care is 5-10% L-ascorbic acid. However, there are funds that contain 15 or 20%. A high concentration of the ingredient means that there are no other active ingredients in the product or there is, but in a minimal amount. Beauticians recommend products with vitamin C 5-15%, which contain other antioxidants and boosters, such as vitamin E and ferulic acid. This enhances the effect of all elements of the product. However, everything is individual. If you develop irritation and redness from a high concentration of the component, it is best to reduce it. Even 5% Vitamin C will help protect your skin from premature aging.
Formula: studies show that combining vitamin C with other antioxidants can increase its effectiveness. There is much evidence that the combination of vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid contributes to a significantly stronger antioxidant effect. Such a composition can most often be found in anti-aging products. Vitamin E itself acts as an antioxidant and also improves the function of vitamin C. It also helps to maintain a normal skin protective barrier. Ferulic acid enhances both vitamin C and vitamin E. Glutathione is another antioxidant that interacts with vitamin C to help stabilize it. But vitamin C alone will give excellent results.
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