It’s time to meet your skincare squeeze
This article is sponsored by Super Facialist, Garnier, L’Oréal Paris, Fenty Skin & No7
You’re probably used to pouring yourself a tall, cool glass of orange juice to start your day, but did you know you can give your skin a morning boost with the beauty power player that is vitamin C? It’s one of the most highly searched skincare ingredients, with more and more brands releasing serums, tonics, masks and more to add to our ever-growing skincare shelf.
But what exactly are skincare benefits of vitamin C, and why do you need it in your skincare routine? Vitamin C boasts a long list of benefits, from brightening your complexion to evening your skin tone. It even helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (is there anything it can’t do?), which makes it the perfect ingredient to tend to the everyday maintenance of your skin.
How much vitamin C do I need in my skincare?
You can apply vitamin C topically through your skincare regime. Doing this allows the powerful antioxidant to perform its skin-brightening, hyperpigmentation-correcting and skin-tone evening benefits.
“The right concentration is important”, says Dr Mike Bell, Scientific Skincare Advisor at Boots. “While vitamin C in different forms can be effective at lower levels, you need concentrations of five percent or more of the most active form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for it to have an impact on collagen and skin structural integrity.”
With any new skincare product, it’s important to build up slowly so your skin can acclimatise on its own terms. Add a little vitamin C two to three times a week, and if it feels good then increase this to a daily dose of glow-glow juice.
What about the different formats?
Serums, masks, cleansers, scrubs, tonics, moisturisers – it might seem tricky navigating your way around vitamin C skincare, but here are a few rules we love to live by that will help you along the way:
• Serums tend to contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than creams or lotions, so add one to your skincare routine and say hello to that glow
• Cleansers and masks are great for sensitive skin, as they are only in contact with skin for a short time
• Always apply skincare products in order of consistency – from thinnest (serums) to thickest (moisturiser)
• Pairing vitamin C with hyaluronic acid is a great way to give dehydrated skin a splash of moisture
• As vitamin C is effectively an acid, there are a few ingredients you want to avoid layering it with, including retinol, AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic lactic acids. Mixing these ingredients can cause dryness and irritation
• Scrubs can be a great addition to your skincare routine as they help reduce hyperpigmentation by breaking up pigmented skin cells to encourage new, healthy ones to grow
Now you’ve got the juice on all things vitamin C, here are our top juicy picks:
For gently removing make-up
Try: Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil
• Size: 200ml
• Suitable for all skin types
Wash away daily impurities, make-up and pollution with this skin-brightening cleansing oil. Powered by vitamins C and E, this unique formula helps unlock your skin’s true potential. Gently massage the oil onto your face, add warm water to watch the texture transform into a milky lotion and rinse off. The result is a nourished, cleansed and brightened complexion that’s super-soft to the touch.
For a splash of hydration
Try: Garnier Body Superfood, 48H Nourishing Glow Cream, Mango & Vitamin C
• Size: 380ml
• Vegan*
A firm favourite, Garnier’s Body Superfood is here to give us some fruit for thought with their new Glow Cream. Providing up to 48 hours of hydration, it’s a total skincare saviour for those with dull and dry skin. The formula uses our hero ingredient vitamin C and nourishing mango to help you glow from head to toe. For best results, apply a generous amount onto your skin as often as needed to feed hangry skin.
For some help preventing early signs of ageing
Try: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Trusted and recommended by dermatologists
We couldn’t miss this superstar serum off our list. Formulated with the purest form of vitamin C (12% to be exact) this clinically-proven classic helps correct and prevent the signs of early ageing in every drop. Apply three to five drops onto your face and neck to help visibly reduce pores, smooth fine lines and even your skin tone – we love it’s non-greasy yet ultra-hydrating texture. This one gets ticks all round.
For a brightening boost
Try: Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Superfine Daily Cleansing Face Scrub
• Size: 100ml
• Vegan*
• Suitable for all skin types
• Non-comodegenic
• For daily use
With a cocktail of Barbados cherry and fruit enzymes, it really doesn’t get any juicier than this face scrub from Fenty – it even contains more vitamin C than an orange! Massage a cherry-size amount into clean, wet skin every day to gently exfoliate and watch as the formula melts into a cushiony lather. The result? Brighter-looking skin, a reduction in the appearance of pores and improved texture, giving you a hydrated base for flawless make-up application.
For some overnight revival
Try: Garnier Anti Dark Spot Night Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Vegan*
With skin at its most receptive during the night this targeted night serum from Garnier is a no brainer. Designed with their highest concentration of 10% pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, the one-size-fits-all formula boasts a long list of benefits. Not only does it reduce the appearance of pigmentation marks, but it also improves your skin’s complexion and visibly brightens dull skin. Apply at night and say ‘good morning’ to a bright, well-rested complexion.
For your daily dose of glow
Try: No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum
• Size: 25ml
• Suitable for all skin types
The secret to illuminate a dull complexion? It’s all in this bottle of citrussy goodness from No7. With 15% vitamin C (you heard us right) the fast-absorbing formula with a gel-like texture glides effortlessly onto your skin to revive, re-energise and awaken. The serum helps reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and pigmentation to make way for a healthy-looking glow. Did we mention it also has a sweet, citrus aroma? It’s time to add to your basket.
For radiant & moisturised skin
Try: Boots SPF+ Vitamin C Moisturising Lotion SPF50
• Size: 50ml
• Vegan*
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Fragrance-free
Not only does this lightweight moisturising lotion boast an SPF of 50 (yes, 50!) but it also leaves an invisible finish so you can enjoy radiant skin all year long. Infused with vitamin C, the formula gets to work, brightening the look of your complexion whilst vitamin E soothes. Paired with a soft shimmer, this is a staple that can be worn alone or under make-up – it’s got our ‘peel’ of approval!
‘Orange’ you glad we topped you up on all things vitamin C? Now, you’ve got the ‘ripe’ idea (we couldn’t resist the puns) it’s time to add this hero ingredient to your skincare routine.
