Get Set, Glow: The Secret of Vitamin C

Effective at diminishing the appearance of dark spots , stimulating collagen production, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and boosting overall radiance. Vitamin C is the single most powerful topical ingredient that exists and everyone should be using it within their regimen. Have you ever asked yourself, ‘how does she achieve that glow?’. Look no further because we are about to tell you the secret women have been using for years…. Vitamin C. Hailed as one of the best anti-agers on the market !

Photo via @edgarraw

What is Vitamin C:

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is abundant in vegetables and fruits, particularly in citrus fruits where the Vitamin C levels are the highest. A water-soluble vitamin and powerful anti-oxidant, it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, which enhances collagen fibers in the skin (hello firmness), fights against free radical damage and contains skin-brightening properties.

How it works

Anti-oxidant

Vitamin C is the single most powerful and multi-functional ingredient in topical products. Loaded with antioxidants, brightening properties and collagen building enzymes, Vitamin C is a true powerhouse ingredient. Topical antioxidants produce much higher concentrations in the skin than nutritional supplements. In fact, applying vitamin C to the skin is 20 times more effective than oral ingestion. Simply applying vitamin C daily for three days can achieve optimal levels in the skin. It is also known that once a topical antioxidant is absorbed into the skin, it cannot be washed or rubbed off. So, even after stopping application, significant amounts of vitamin C will remain in the skin for up to three days.

Collagen Enhancing Properties

Vitamin C’s skin-health benefits are largely attributed to its benefits in supporting healthy collagen. Collagen works hand-in-hand with elastin to support the skin. Basically, it supplies the framework that provides form, firmness, and strength to the skin, while elastin is what gives skin its flexibility. A number of in vitro studies have confirmed that treating human skin cells with a topical vitamin C derivative can stimulate collagen synthesis. In addition to facilitating the hydroxylation reactions involved in collagen formation, vitamin C also stimulates collagen synthesis by enhancing collagen gene transcription. Topical vitamin C may also help preserve existing collagen by influencing the enzymes responsible for collagen degradation.

What to buy

Serums deliver the most bang for your buck as they typically are formulated with the highest concentrations of Vitamin C. A good place to start is with a formula with a minimum of 7% Vitamin C and as high as 15% as this is really the sweet spot in terms of providing proper treatment to the skin and make sure that the Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is listed high up on the ingredient deck – just another indication of the level of percentage within the formula.

One of the best anti-aging cocktails is  a mix of Vitamin C serum+ additional age-defying ingredients

Ferulic Acid: Protects your skin against sun damage and also stabilizes the Vitamin C, preventing it from oxidating (i.e. changing color) which eliminates the treatment.

Vitamin E / Tocopherol: Anti-inflammatory properties and overall skin nourishment

Vitamin B / Niacinamide: Provide brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.

*Try Brightening Elixir by Goldfaden MD

How to use it:

The ultimate youth-boosting skincare protocol involves the use of a regular exfoliator (or retinoid at night as it helps promote cell renewal and allows for the treatment serum to penetrate deep into the skin), followed by a daily Vitamin C serum, protective moisturizer and your preferred SPF of SPF 30 or higher.

Photo via @edgarraw

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