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Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – a powerful antioxidant, widely used in cosmetology along with retinol, acids and niacinamide. The vitamin C-based formula is aimed at protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, helps resist oxidative stress, and prevents premature skin aging.
Let’s take a look at what happens when you take this effective anti-aging ingredient and make it the basis of a powerful care product – Vitamin C Serum.
What is Vitamin C Serum for?
In addition to antioxidant properties and the ability to neutralize free radicals, ascorbic acid has many other features aimed at improving the condition of facial skin, maintaining its tone, youth and beauty.
Benefits of vitamin C for skin
- It plays a key role in the natural processes of destruction and formation of collagen fibers – the main protein responsible for the density, firmness and elasticity of the skin.
- Controls the synthesis of melanin, a pigment that darkens the skin and is responsible for pigmentation.
- Stimulates the production of ceramides (lipids, fats), which are responsible for strengthening the protective functions of cells and maintaining the hydrolipid mantle.
- Promotes the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, prevents dehydration and dryness.
- Strengthens capillaries (prevents rosacea, puffiness), improves blood microcirculation, brightens the skin.
- Accelerates skin regeneration and promotes intensive healing of lesions.
- Enhances the effectiveness of other active ingredients in the product: vitamins A, E, group B, iron, calcium.
- Strengthens the immunity of the skin: the condition of the epidermis noticeably improves, inflammation decreases, the complexion becomes healthy, the relief is uniform, the image is fresh, rested.
- Protects against the negative effects of external environmental factors, including UV exposure, preventing photoaging (using in addition to sunscreen).
Operating principle
First of all, vitamin C maintains skin turgor, prevents the occurrence of pigmentation, premature wrinkles – in other words, it effectively fights against premature signs of aging.
Important(!): As a rule, the concentration of vitamin C in the composition of the product is 5-10% of the possible 0,3-20%.
In addition to ascorbic acid, the serum formula includes active cosmetic ingredients that complement its action:
- Additional antioxidants (resveratrol, vitamin E, kaolin, etc.) to increase cell protection against free radicals.
- Exfoliants (exfoliating ingredients) that promote accelerated cell renewal.
- Hyaluronic acid or other powerful hydrofixators that even out and moisturize the epidermis for a long time.
- Sunscreens for additional skin protection against photoaging.
- Thermal water to strengthen the skin, has soothing and regenerating properties.
The face serum has a light texture, is instantly absorbed, does not leave a sticky film on the face. With regular use, serum with vitamin C gives a stable positive result.
How to choose the right vitamin serum?
Since serums have a narrowly focused action, it is necessary to select a remedy based on the specific individual problem of the epidermis. If your choice fell on vitamin C serum, then it is worth considering some nuances, for example, the optimal format for the release of products with ascorbic acid and the possible skin reaction to its high concentration.
Whey form of vitamin C
Vitamin C is inherently unstable and highly susceptible to external environmental factors. The sun’s rays and air act destructively on it – ascorbic acid quickly oxidizes and, upon further contact with the skin, does not protect, but damages cells, forming free radicals in them. Therefore, for safe storage, vitamin C-based products require airtight, opaque packaging.
Who is Vitamin C Serum for?
Serum with vitamin C is a universal cosmetic product suitable for all skin types. Depending on the composition of the formula and the focus of the active ingredients, serums can be divided into 4 categories:
- moisturizers;
- anti-aging (vitamin C is involved);
- brightening (vitamin C is involved);
- restoring.
There are also universal serums that simultaneously solve several skin care tasks at once.
It is known that the use of products based on vitamin C is not recommended for owners of sensitive skin types and diseases such as eczema, rosacea. The reason is that the epidermis can react to this component with an allergy: irritation, itching and redness. It is not ascorbic acid itself that causes the reaction, but its derivatives, so give preference to cosmetics with pure L-ascorbic acid in the composition. In the list of ingredients, it appears as: ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid.
Important(!): An allergic reaction may not appear immediately: in rare cases, rashes appear after a month of using the product, more often within a week of use. If this is your first time purchasing vitamin C care, start with low concentrations.
A formula with an acidic pH (below 3,5) will also help stabilize the penetration of vitamin C into the skin – at a low pH, concentrated ascorbic acid intensively exfoliates the epidermis and can cause irritation.
Best Vitamin C Cosmetics by La Roche-Posay
Vitamin C Antioxidant Facial Serum
Evens out the surface and tone of the skin, visually reduces superficial and deep wrinkles, gives radiance, instantly moisturizes, softens the epidermis. Formula with pure vitamin C at a concentration of 10%. Suitable even for sensitive skin.
Vitamin C10 serum — Where can one buy:
At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces
Anti-aging care with vitamin C for the eye contour
Increases the elasticity of delicate skin in the eye area, gives it a natural glow, visibly smoothes wrinkles. Formula with pure vitamin C at 5%. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Vitamin c cream-filler wrinkle filling — Where can one buy:
At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces
Redermic C cream for normal and combination skin
Effectively evens out the complexion and relief of the face, stimulates the synthesis of collagen fibers, corrects wrinkles, increases turgor and skin tone. Formula with pure vitamin C at 5%. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Vitamin C Filler Cream — Where can one buy:
At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces
How to use Vitamin C Facial Serum?
The principle of using serum with vitamin C is similar to the use of other serums, but there are some nuances.
- The serum can be used after a tonic by skin type (on pre-cleansed skin), before a day or night cream, or as an independent care product, if the manufacturer provides such an option.
- If you use a corrective cream after the serum, then apply it at least 10-15 minutes after the serum – this will allow active vitamin C and other active substances to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
- Most often, serums are produced in the format of a sealed bottle with a dispenser (pipette, pump), which simplifies the application process: 1-2 drops of the composition are enough to enrich the skin with the necessary active ingredients and start the recovery and renewal processes.
- Additionally, use products with an SPF of at least 30 before each exit to the street.
- Vitamin C Serum can be used at any time of the day: morning or evening. Experts recommend applying the product in the morning to enhance the antioxidant protection of the skin and prevent photoaging.
- Serums are used as a course from 1 week to 3 months, and constantly, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.