The lowdown on vitamin C in skincare

It's time to meet your skincare squeeze

inspiration-advice-beauty-skincare-skincare-lowdown-on-vitamin-c-in-skincare-hero-1360x502-v5

You’re probably used to pouring yourself a tall, cool glass of orange juice to start your day, but did you know you can give your skin a morning boost with the beauty power player that is vitamin C?  It’s one of the most highly searched skincare ingredients, with more and more brands releasing serums, tonics, masks and more to add to our ever growing skincare shelf.

But what exactly are skincare benefits of vitamin C, and just how should you use it? Amanda Bell, Global Director of Makeup Artistry and Education for Pixi Skincare, says ‘The benefits of vitamin C in your skincare routine are multiple, making it a perfect daily maintenance ingredient for your skin. For a brighter complexion and even skin tone, while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, vitamin C is an essential ingredient.’

How much vitamin C do I need in my skincare?

‘The right concentration is important’, says Dr Mike Bell, scientific skincare advisor at Boots. ‘While vitamin C in different forms can be effective at lower levels, you need concentrations of 5% or more of the most active form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for it to have an impact on collagen and skin structural integrity.’

Amanda Bell adds, ‘Vitamin C can be applied topically through a skincare regime allowing the powerful antioxidant to perform its skin-brightening, hyperpigmentation-correcting and skin tone-evening benefits.’

With any new skincare product it’s important to build up slowly so your skin can acclimatise on its own terms. Add a little vitamin C two to three times a week, and if it feels good then increase this to a daily dose of glow-glow juice.

What about the different formats?

Serums, masks, cleansers, tonics, moisturisers ; it might seem tricky navigating your way around vitamin C skincare,  but here are a few rules we love to live by that will help you along the way:

• Serums tend to contain higher  concentrations of active ingredients than creams or lotions, so add one to your skincare routine and say hello to that glow

• Cleansers and masks are great for sensitive skin, as they are only in contact with skin for a short time

• Always apply skincare products in order of consistency – from thinnest (serums) to thickest (moisturiser)

• Pairing vitamin C with hyaluronic acid is a great way to give dehydrated skin a splash of moisture

Now you’ve got the juice on all things vitamin C, here are our top  juicy picks:

 

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Vitamin C Booster
Our hydration hero

If you’re looking for skincare that packs a punch then this is the one for you. This serum contains a whopping 10% freshly activated vitamin C, as well as hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and smooth the skin. It also promises more radiant skin in seven days, so why not leave us a review and let us know your thoughts?