Do you really need Vitamin C on your routine?
By Carolina Malis
You see it everywhere. You hear about it all the time. You’re told it’s gonna improve both your health - if you drink/eat it - and your skin - if you add it to your routine - but what’s the real deal behind Vitamin C and how can you use it to improve your skincare routine?
Did you know in skincare there’s something considered as a “holy trinity”? Well, if you didn’t, now you do! Who takes a place in it? Sunscreen, retinol and vitamin C. Why? Because they work. But what’s the role of vitamin C here? This powerful antioxidant provides the skin with multiple benefits: helps diminish fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, uneven skin texture, brightens up the skin, you name it. The most difficult thing about it is vitamin C works only if you use it right.
But first, what is it that Vitamin C really does on your skin? In order to understand you first need to learn what are free radicals, aka, your skin’s worst enemies. These little molecules lead to premature signs of aging like those fine lines you can see around your eyes and mouth or wrinkles, and antioxidants are *THE* component you need to fight them back, by reducing the damage on skin cells that free radicals may have caused.
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: how to choose the right one for you? Usually serums are the most popular way of Vitamin C you’ll find, but not the only one. Moisturizers, toners, essences and even powders: there’s a whole universe of Vitamin C options out there and believe me, there IS one for you. Today I want to introduce you to a couple Neogen came up with this year that may be a great fit for your routine, especially now that weather is getting colder.
Real Vita C Powder Lemon
This DIY powder offers the brightening benefits of a vitamin C serum, but without the chance of oxidation. This skincare godsend provides you with all the brightening benefits of vitamin C, but takes away the possibilities of it oxidising. What’s in it? Only good stuff, starting with 17% ascorbic acid - AKA pure vitamin C - to then add hydrolyzed collagen, allantoin, trehalose and of course, lemon extract, which together help revitalize, plump, even out skin tone, and hydrate the skin while adding a radiant touch to it. But even more interesting is what’s NOT in it: alcohol, silicone, parabens, artificial fragrance, surfactants and mineral oil. Just take a scoop of the powder and mix it with your toner or essence (or event with your moisturizer), blend it together and apply on your skin! Easy, peasy.
Real Vita C Serum
Another godsend TBH and first in line to become my Vitamin C for the season. This super potent Vitamin C Serum is enriched with Niacinamide and 22% of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate - a stabilized source of vitamin C - along with citrus fruit extracts and vitamin complex (Vitamin E, Vitamin B5) which work together to brighten up and firm the appearance of skin for healthy-looking complexion. The best thing about this serum is how easily it absorbs into your skin. While yes, it has a little stickiness to it, it goes away in matter of seconds and you can see changes in your skin in matter of days.
Do you use Vitamin C on your daily routine? What do you look for when deciding which product to buy?