We explain how you can do vitamin C skincare (b)right
Are you curious about vitamin C skincare? You’re not the only one. Vitamin C is one of the most searched for skincare ingredients, and with its bounty of skin-loving benefits, it’s easy-squeezy to see why.
So what is vitamin C, and what does it do? And how important is vitamin C in your skincare routine? We’re about to give you the full glow-down…
What is vitamin C?
Found in all your favourite citrus fruits, plus veggies like peppers, broccoli and spinach, vitamin C has a multitude of benefits for the body, including maintaining healthy skin and bones and supporting a healthy immune system.
However, there are also many advantages of vitamin C when used topically – in other words, vitamin C skincare, like serums or creams. Vitamin C is naturally present in the skin, but its concentration decreases with age, which is why it’s becoming a staple product in skincare regimes.
What are the advantages of vitamin C for your skin?
With so many to choose from, it’s hard to pick the best vitamin C skincare benefits. Its main draw is its ability to help us maintain a brighter and smoother-looking complexion, providing a glowy look all year round and banishing signs of dullness.
But its powers don’t stop there. Vitamin C is a supporting molecule for the production of collagen (the protein that gives us healthy skin) and provides that elasticity, stretchiness or ‘bounce’ you see. It also helps even the skin tone, working to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, visible pores and fine lines.
Vitamin C skincare even offers some protection against environmental damage (like dust and bacteria) and pollution, while working to reduce the appearance of sun damage to the skin, like dark spots.
How can you incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine?
So, how does vitamin C skincare work? This is one versatile ingredient, so you can choose a formula that works best for you and your already-established routine to help you achieve the results you’re after.
Vitamin C serums are among the most popular formulas as they can be used both day and night. It can easily be mixed and layered with other skincare actives like retinol, niacinamide, caffeine and exfoliating acids. It’s also a friend to all skin types – yep, that’s oily and acne-prone included!
Don’t fancy a vitamin C serum? Try an energising cream or face mask instead.
If you’re completely new to vitamin C or your skin is a touch on the sensitive side, keep an eye on the concentration levels to begin with – you may find anything over 20% may feel a little irritating. But, if your skin takes to it well or you’re looking for a new vitamin C product to try, pick something with l-ascorbic acid, which is the true active form of vitamin C.
If you’re ready to add a little zest to your skincare routine, check out our picks for the best vitamin C product for your skin. Which one will become your main squeeze?
Best for sensitive skin
Try: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum
• Size: 30ml
The fresh, non-greasy texture of La Roche-Posay’s vitamin C serum has been tested on sensitive skin and helps correct the appearance of aging on all skin tones. With a blend of hyaluronic acid for added hydration and salicylic acid for exfoliation, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and texture.
Best for uneven skin tone
Try: Olay Vitamin C + AHA24 Day Gel Serum
• Size: 40ml
Citrus scented, silky and lightweight, this serum’s formula melts into skin to help deliver brighter skin and a more even skin tone, fast! It uses AHAs and niacinamide to lift dead skin cells and help improve the look of an uneven skin tone to let your natural radiance shine through. Use it both morning and night, followed by an SPF in the daytime.
Best for reducing appearance of pores
Try: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
• Size: 30ml
After five years of research and more than 200 formulas tested, L’Oréal introduced their game-changing Revitalift Vitamin C Serum as the perfect tonic to a dull complexion. Formulated with l-ascorbic acid and boosted with salicylic acid for exfoliation, it helps smooth the skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of pores, too.
Best for dehydrated skin
Try: Nip+Fab Vitamin C Serum
• Size: 50ml
Soothing, refreshing and packed with ingredients that help protect against environmental damage, this pick from Nip+Fab is one powerhouse of a formula. With the addition of carrot oil and green tea extract, applying to a cleansed face and neck both morning and evening leaves your skin feeling happy, hydrated and fresh.
Best for body
Try: Garnier Body Superfood, Nutri Glow Body Cream Vitamin C & Mango
• Size: 380ml
• Vegan*
The benefits of vitamin C aren’t just reserved for the face! Get that glow from head to toe with Garnier’s Body Superfood, enriched with vitamin C and mango to deeply hydrate multiple layers of the skin for up to 48 hours of hydration.**
Best for daily use
Try: Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum
• Size: 28ml
With a powerful blend of 15% vitamin C, essential nutrients and fruit enzymes, this Drunk Elephant hero helps reveal a brighter, firmer and more even-looking complexion when used daily. Plus, the innovative packaging means the formula stays fresher for longer, as it’s hand mixed by you before your first use.
Best value vitamin C
Try: Boots Vitamin C Brightening Day Cream SPF50+
• Size: 30ml
• Vegan*
For nourishment and a glow that packs a real punch, look no further. Infused with yuzu extract and offering SPF50+, you can give your skin a daily dose of radiance and UVA/UVB protection all without breaking the bank.
Best for fatigued skin
Try: Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength-Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum
• Size: 15ml
Designed to help reduce the look of dark circles, fine lines and other signs of fatigue, this high-strength vitamin C eye serum uses tri-peptides and hyaluronic acid to help nourish the delicate under-eye skin. Massage gently into the skin to reduce the appearance of puffiness and instantly refresh the area.
Looking for another juicy addition to your skincare routine? You can find more vitamin C skincare picks here.
