As a writer in the beauty industry, I can not begin to explain the importance of vitamin C in a proper skin care regimen: it brightens hyperpigmentation, helps with the production of collagen in the skin and (which we believe is the most important property of this ingredient) protects the skin from harmful free radical damage. Unfortunately, the caveat here is that there are many people who are sensitive to vitamin C that come from ascorbic acid. So does this mean that people with sensitive skin, acne-prone or even adult skin cannot use vitamin C? Not at all.
Vitamin C serums come in all shapes and sizes and come from various sources that can do little or no damage to your skin. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, explains: “Vitamin C comes in two main forms, pure ascorbic acid and ester forms. Pure vitamin C is water soluble. It is harder to. formulates and requires an acidic pH.It is unstable in UV light and usually comes in dark or opaque bottles.I find it a little more irritating to the skin, so I usually keep it for people who are not sensitive.Vitamin C-esters, on the other hand, are soluble in oil. I find it more useful for people who are dry or sensitive. It is more stable in the formulation and actually penetrates better into the skin. “The stability of vitamin C serums that derived from esters, explains why you can see these serums in clear bottles as opposed to the opaque or orange glass tinctures with which we are all familiar.
Dr. Zeichner continues: ‘Start if you are extremely sensitive [applying a vitamin C serum] every second morning – otherwise you can apply every day. Unlike ingredients like retinol, there is no adjustment period when it comes to vitamin C. ‘Dr. Zeichner explains that it is more important to apply this ingredient with a sunscreen to take full advantage of it.
So which vitamin C serum is best for you? In advance, a complete breakdown of the ingredient, along with some products that are best suited for your skin type.
Sensitive skin
Dr. Zeichner recommends that vitamin C sera be derived from vitamin C esters, including “THD ascorbate, sodium ascorbate phosphate and others with the word ascorbate in it. ‘
Acne-prone skin
Although you are careful to apply anything to your outbreaks with a sensitive controversy, vitamin C serum can help you lead to the end of your problems. Dr. Zeichner explains, “There is data showing that vitamin C itself can help treat acne by reducing inflammation in the follicles. Vitamin C also helps brighten dark spots left behind after pimples dissolve.” The best forms of vitamin C for people with acne-prone skin come from sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Dr. However, Zeichner explains that all forms of vitamin C generally work well with skin prone to acne.
Mature skin
Dr. Zeichner says, “If you have adult skin, look for vitamin C products that are linked to vitamin E. It works together to protect the skin from the radical damage that makes it useful for adult skin.” In addition, vitamin E is an extremely moisturizing ingredient, which means that it protects your skin from free radicals, but also makes your texture fuller to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.