We all know the age-old saying that vitamin C helps boost the immune system, which often leads us to reach for it when we feel a cold coming on. The health benefits of vitamin C for the body are widely recognized and understood. However, in recent years, it has gained a new reputation as a powerful ingredient in skincare, prompting stores to stock their shelves with products that highlight its prominence in their ingredient lists.
But what exactly does vitamin C do for your skin? This is a question frequently asked by our customers. Despite its rising popularity, there hasn’t been much explanation or education about its uses, which is unfortunate given the array of skin concerns that topical vitamin C application can help address
The Benefits of Vitamin C for Your Skin
Vitamin C offers various benefits for our body’s health, and it’s no surprise that it can provide numerous advantages as a skincare ingredient as well. We consulted with our skincare expert, Kelly Viavattine, an esthetician to the stars, to understand why vitamin C is considered such a miracle ingredient.
1. Protects Against Free Radicals:
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in protecting your skin cells against harmful free radicals. These destructive molecules are formed due to exposure to environmental pollutants like smog, dust, cigarette smoke, and the sun. Free radicals can cause skin discoloration, loss of volume, and decreased resilience. However, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C help neutralize these molecules on the skin, minimizing their visible effects and supporting other benefits of vitamin C.
2. Brightens & Evens Skin Tone:
Vitamin C acts as a gentle and natural acid, functioning as a light exfoliant that helps smooth away dead skin cells and improve uneven skin tone. With regular use, this can soften the appearance of dark spots or hyperpigmentation, revealing brighter and more even skin.
3. Aids UV Photodamage Prevention:
Despite regular sunscreen use (which we highly recommend), UV photodamage can still occur. Vitamin C applied to the skin helps strengthen it and minimizes the damage caused by harmful sun rays. It’s important to note that vitamin C is not a substitute for sunscreen, but it complements your daily UV protection routine effectively.
4. Reduces Redness:
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce redness and inflammation in the skin. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, topical vitamin C was found to be effective in reducing redness and improving overall skin tone when incorporated into a skincare routin
Types of Vitamin C for the Skin
There are several forms of vitamin C used in skincare products. The most commonly used form is ascorbic acid, known for its high potency and quick absorption into the skin. Naira Organic Essentials Vitamin c tonner is formulated with this key ingredient and is our most potent and stable vitamin C product, delivering brighter and more even-looking skin quickly.
Another commonly seen derivative of vitamin C is Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), which is water-soluble and more effective in lower concentrations. If you see either of these listed on a product label, you can be confident that it’s a genuine vitamin C skincare product.
Choosing the Right Vitamin C Product
When seeking out vitamin C products, it’s essential to consider a few factors to ensure their effectiveness. Vitamin C is a temperamental active ingredient that can destabilize quickly when exposed to air and sunlight. To avoid wasting money on an ineffective product, look for a stabilizing ingredient alongside vitamin C, such as vitamin E or ferulic acid. These ingredients not only enhance the stability of vitamin C but also offer their own benefits to the skin, like further protection against harmful free radicals and UV light.
Naira Organic Essentials offers a wide range of vitamin C-infused products, from cleansers and masks to moisturizers and serums. Some products, like the Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C Toner, combine vitamin C with other powerful ingredients to create more effective treatments that can address multiple skin concerns simultaneously.
In addition to the ingredients, pay attention to the product’s packaging. Opaque glass or plastic containers ensure that sunlight doesn’t negatively impact the ingredients, and using a pump or air-restrictive device helps limit vitamin C’s exposure to oxygen.
Suitability and Potential Side Effects
sensitive skin, try using a formula with fewer added ingredients to monitor your skin’s response to vitamin C specifically. Each derivative of vitamin C may interact differently with your unique skin type, so if you experience any adverse reactions, consider switching to a different form.
It’s essential to note that high concentrations of vitamin C may cause irritation and redness, especially for those with sensitive skin. We recommend patch-testing the product before incorporating it into your skincare routine and consulting with a dermatologist if you experience any adverse reactions.
Incorporating Vitamin C into Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C is most effective when used as part of a regular skincare regimen. To make the most of its benefits, follow these steps:
1. Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C Cleanser
Start by cleansing your face with a gentle foaming wash to remove excess dirt, oil, makeup, and other debris, allowing subsequent products to penetrate the skin effectively.
2. Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C Toner
Apply a toner to slough away any remaining residue and ensure your face is clean and ready for the next steps.
3. Exfoliate
Exfoliate your skin a few times a week to remove the top layers of dead skin cells, which helps open up your pores and allows vitamin C products to penetrate deeper, making them more effective.
4. Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C Gel
Apply Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C Toner, which offers the highest concentration of vitamin C for maximum benefits. If you have multiple skin concerns, look for a product that combines vitamin C with other ingredients . vitamin C to combat visible signs of aging while evening and brightening your skin tone.
5. Moisturize
Finish your routine with a moisturizer to provide an extra dose of hydration for your skin. Even if you think your skin is oily, excess oil may be the result of dry skin. Ensuring your skin is adequately hydrated will promote a youthful complexion and soft skin.
Remember that the order in which you layer your products can impact their effectiveness. Although you can customize your routine, try to follow a sequence similar to the one mentioned above.
How Often to Use Topical Vitamin C?
It is recommended to use topical vitamin C once daily, preferably in the morning, to help protect against environmental damage, boost collagen production, and promote healthy skin.
Combining Vitamin C Skincare Products with Other Ingredients
Mixing skincare ingredients or products has become a rising trend in the skincare world. It allows you to customize your routine to better suit your needs, while also potentially being more budget-conscious and effective. For example, combining Naira Organic Essentials’ Vitamin C tonner with a peptide product, such as our Vitamin C Toner, can address multiple skin concerns, as the vitamin C brightens the complexion while the peptides offer other anti-aging effects.Hamamelis Virginiana is another ingredient that pairs well with vitamin C, refreshing dull, tired skin and providing a visibly firmer, brighter, and more youthful complexion.
However, caution should be exercised with skincare cocktails, as some ingredients can cause skin irritation and redness. For instance, niacinamide, a derivative of vitamin B3 commonly used in skincare to treat irritation, can turn into niacin when combined with vitamin C, leading to inflammation and other unpleasant side effects.
In conclusion, vitamin C does wonders for your skin. As a powerful antioxidant, it protects your skin from damaging free radicals, smooths the appearance of signs of aging, and brightens your complexion. With its various benefits, it’s no wonder many consider it a miracle worker in skincare products.
Ready to achieve youthful skin and a glowing complexion? Shop our complete line of vitamin C products at Naira Organic Essentials today.