Vitamin C skin care products have recently been popular in the skin care world, but is all the hype worth it? In short, yes. Vitamin C provides various skin benefits from lightening and brightening to hydrating, but what actually is it and where does it come from? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is found naturally in fruits and vegetables and works to repair and encourage growth of tissues in all parts of the body, especially the skin. The following includes 5 ways vitamin C can transform your skin.
1. Protects against environmental stressors. Environmental stressors like UV rays, air pollution and humidity can damage your skin cells and lead to wrinkles, sun spots and skin dullness. The antioxidants in vitamin C work to protect your skin from these stressors, especially sun damage. When sun damage occurs, molecules called free radicals begin to search for a missing electron in which they seek to steal an electron and cause a great deal of skin damage in the process. According to a 2012 study that looked at the role of antioxidants in sun damage protection, vitamin C protects your skin from damage by giving these free radicals an electron, making them less harmful.
2. Promotes collagen production. The naturally occurring protein, collagen, gets lost over time causing fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Vitamin C works to promote collagen synthesis and increase production leading to tighter, plumper skin. As we age, our bodies begin to produce less and less collagen so using a vitamin C serum can help slow down the process of premature skin aging.
3. Brightens complexion. Vitamin C works to even and smooth out your complexion and reveal brighter, glowing skin. It targets sun spots, age spots and over forms of hyperpigmentation to fade them away and reveal a smooth canvas. A 2017 study looked at the roles of vitamin C in skin health and found it can impede melanin production which fades dark spots and evens complexions.
4. It deeply hydrates. When our skin lacks hydration, it can appear dull, dry and flaky. After all, our skin is comprised of 64 percent water. Hydration is necessary for a glowing, vibrant complexion and vitamin C helps aid in this. A 2013 study on vitamin C in dermatology found that magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, one of the main vitamin C derivatives used in skin care, showed very hydrating effects. It decreases water loss and encourages water retention to keep it nice and hydrating without being too oily or too dry.
5. Soothes redness and irritation. Vitamin C is safe for most skin types and works great for sensitive skin for its soothing effects. A 2005 study looked at the topical effects of vitamin C and found that it works to treat a great deal of inflammatory skin conditions. It helps create an even complexion by mending the damaged capillaries that essentially cause discoloration and may also work to strengthen them in the long-run. A 2008 study on the role of vitamin C on skin conditions concluded that vitamin C also reduces inflammation and relieves inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.
How can you use vitamin C for your skin?
In order to properly experience the benefits on vitamin C on your skin, you must topically apply it with a serum. A serum is light and can help the vitamin C absorb into your skin more effectively than a moisturizer. It works best after you properly cleanse your skin and before you apply a moisturizer. Vitamin C is essentially ideal for all skin types and can work for you whether you have dry, oily, combination or sensitive skin. Fyab Health’s Skin Vitality Brightening Serum is a great way to incorporate vitamin C in your skin care routine. It is formulated with vitamin C and other nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and kojic acid to brighten and even your complexion while also combatting fine lines and wrinkles. The Anti-Aging Serum also utilizes vitamin C to fade age spots, fine lines and wrinkles while also improving skin elasticity for a younger-looking complexion.
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