What comes to your mind when you read the word “Vitamin C”?
Lemons? Oranges? Citrus fruits?
If yes, pat yourselves! Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is essential for your body’s healing process and for better iron absorption. But what role does it have to play in skincare?
Well, Vitamin C is a popular ingredient widely found in skin care products. Think of face washes, serums, ampoules, toners, moisturizers, lotions, and more. The list can go on and on, thanks to its many benefits (which you will discover in some time).
Of all these Vitamin C-infused skincare products, Vitamin C serums really stand out. But why? What do they have to offer? Stay with us until the end because we are here to tell you everything you need to know!
What is a Vitamin C Serum?
If you want to take your skincare game to the next level, there’s no better ingredient than Vitamin C and no better product than a Vitamin C serum to bet on.
Simply put, a Vitamin C serum is a serum that contains Vitamin C as its active hero ingredient. It may contain other ingredients to improve its efficacy and benefits. For instance, ILEM JAPAN’s Brightening Serum contains Vitamin C as its hero. Additionally, it contains Prickly Pear Extract and Skin Prebiotics to complement and support the hero ingredient.
Besides the obvious benefits, the product's formulation makes it so special. Serums are designed for targeted skincare, and a Vitamin C serum allows for a highly concentrated application of this beneficial ingredient. When applied to the skin, serums are absorbed quickly, delivering Vitamin C directly to where it's needed most.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
Whether you're looking to prevent skin damage or address specific concerns, a Vitamin C serum may be the radiant solution you've been searching for. A small bottle can really do wonders for your skin with consistent use. Let’s look at some Vitamin C serum benefits that make it a must-have in your skincare vanity!
Skin Health
A Vitamin C serum for the face is your secret to defy age. Here’s why.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. It acts as a shield against the stresses of daily life, such as pollution, which can lead to premature aging and skin damage. As a result, Vitamin C serum for the face helps slow down cell aging to reduce and prevent signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet.
Additionally, it complements your sunscreen, offering an additional layer of defense against UV-induced skin damage.
Brightening and Even Skin Tone
Patchy, uneven, and dull-looking skin is a nightmare for most individuals. A Vitamin C serum for the skin helps you fight these nightmares all at once.
Vitamin C, the beloved skincare ingredient, boasts the remarkable ability to inhibit tyrosinase production effectively. This powerful enzyme plays a crucial role in melanin production, the pigment responsible for our skin's coloration. By curbing tyrosinase activity, vitamin C works its magic in preventing the dreaded hyperpigmentation, ensuring a more even and radiant complexion.
However, here’s an important fact to note. When it comes to normal skin coloration, Vitamin C doesn't possess the power to alter it. It only addresses pesky melanin deposits that arise from excessive sun exposure.
Collagen Production
This is one of the most celebrated benefits of Vitamin C and why it’s considered an elixir for defeating aging.
Think of collagen as little building blocks. These building blocks are essential for maintaining young, supple skin and the structure of hair, muscles, and tendons. Unfortunately, as we age, the rate of collagen production reduces.
Result?
Saggy skin.
Besides normal aging, there are a few more reasons for collagen breakdown, including
- UV damage
- Inflammation-triggering diets
- Smoking
- Glycation
- Stress
- Menopause
The best Vitamin C serum, like an ultimate skin savior, enhances collagen production. This leads to reduced wrinkles and a noticeable improvement in skin elasticity. But that's not all! It also acts as a guardian against the inevitable loss of collagen that occurs as we gracefully age.
Hydration and Moisture
Vitamin C is also a moisture magnet. Yes, it’s true!
The science behind this lies in Vitamin C's affinity for water. By retaining moisture, it not only infuses the skin with a surge of hydration but also helps create a protective barrier against external factors that may lead to moisture loss.
Plus, as the serum is delicately absorbed into the skin, it creates a reservoir of hydration, transforming a once-dull complexion into a plump, revitalized haven.
Acne and Acne Scarring
Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties also help with acne and acne scarring. It neutralizes skin-damaging free radicals, thus reducing inflammation and the environment that flares up acne. Vitamin C's moderating effect on the sebaceous glands is helpful for keeping oil production stable. Thus preventing acne, which may result due to excessive oil and clogged pores.
But what about scars? Vitamin C boosts collagen production, which is essential for healing acne scars. Now, acne scars are unsightly enough. However, hyperpigmentation causes these areas to become much more noticeable. Vitamin C, which may brighten the skin, acts as a savior here.
Vitamin C prevents the overproduction of melanin. As a result, hyperpigmented scars fade with time, and your skin's overall tone is evened out.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum?
ILEM JAPAN’s Vitamin C serum, Brightening Serum, is carefully formulated to deliver all the above benefits. With the extra benefits of Prickly Pear Extract and Skin Prebiotic, it also helps to clarify your skin and make it plumpy. Here’s how to use it:
Skin Patch Test
Although the serum is designed with great care and plant-based ingredients, it is advisable to do a skin patch test. For this, take a small amount of the serum and apply it on any one of the following areas:
- Behind your ear
- Inner arm
- Side of your neck
- Wrist and Hand
Keep an eye out for any symptoms of discomfort, such as redness, itching, swelling, or burning. An adverse response might not show itself for some time. Therefore, a 48-hour observation period is suggested.
Cleansing and Preparation
It is important to apply your products on clean skin for the best results. So before applying the serum, make sure you cleanse your face with a gentle hydrating cleanser and pat it dry. Next, prepare your skin for the serum by applying a hydrating and pH-balancing toner. Finally, apply your serum.
Such a layering technique will keep your skin hydrated throughout your skin routine and ensure the best absorption of products for expected results.
Remember to introduce a Vitamin C Serum in your skincare routine gradually to avoid irritation. Allow your skin time to adjust to this new product and watch how it creates magic!
Application
How much serum should you normally apply? A pea-sized amount that is not too small and not too much. Applying very little serum will not give you any results. In contrast, applying too much vitamin C serum may adversely affect your skin, doing more harm than good.
For best results, apply it evenly to your face and neck.
Sun Protection
Vitamin C serum and sun protection go hand in hand. They complement each other really well and are important for a powerpack skin transformation. Thus, apply your sunscreen at the end of your morning skincare routine religiously. And yes, don’t forget to reapply it every 3-4 hours.
Frequency
Overdoing any product, let alone a Vitamin C serum is never a good idea. We would suggest you use the serum typically in the morning. And add some rejuvenating serum to complement it in your nighttime skincare routine.
Storage
Do you know that Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air? Absolutely!
Vitamin C is sensitive to light, especially to ultraviolet (UV) light. Prolonged exposure to light, particularly sunlight, can lead to the degradation of vitamin C molecules. Additionally, exposure to air leads to oxidation of the product. In both cases, the efficiency and effectiveness of the product are reduced.
Thus, make sure you store your Vitamin C Serum bottle in a cabinet away from the sunlight and air.
Vitamin C Serum: A Must-Have In Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C Serum is really a jack of many trades and a master too! From skin health and hydration to acne scarring and collagen production, it truly does wonders. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t include this powerful ingredient in your skincare routine.
Remember, consistency is the compass guiding you toward radiant skin. Let Vitamin C serum be your steadfast companion on this journey!
Happy Skincare Lovelies!