What is Vitamin C?
L-ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C is arguably the most potent and powerful antioxidant available to us. We mainly use Vitamin C in our skincare for its protective abilities against free radical damage. For this reason, it has gained the reputation of being one of the best anti-ageing ingredients on the market. Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for the growth and repair of tissue in the body, including the skin. It can be found naturally in things like citrus fruits, tomatoes, rosehip oil and greens.
What Are The Benefits of Vitamin C?
If stopping the clock on the visible signs of extrinsic ageing wasn't enough, Vitamin C brings a number of other benefits to your skin too.
Applying Vitamin C topically encourages the stimulation of collagen production and elastin, which is amazing considering they are two of the natural occurring protein fibers in the skin that maintain firmness and plumpness in the skin. Vitamin C also has legendary brightening powers. By controlling the skin's melanin production, Vitamin C can prevent the formation of dark spots and skin discolouration. As well as brightening, it can support hydration in the skin too for an even, smooth and glowing complexion.
How to use Vitamin C
In the innovative Beauty world that we live in, Vitamin C in skincare can come in the form of a majority of formulas. Cleansers, serums, eye creams and moisturisers. You name it, Vitamin C is in it. If something 'punchy' is what you're after, the best type of Vitamin C to use would be a serum as they're likely to be more effective than a cleanser or a cream.
Vitamin C works amazingly well with SPF. When SPF is applied over the top of Vitamin C, it's able to offer even more protection to the skin. Super potent forms of Vitamin C can leave the skin even more sensitive to UV rays. Therefore SPF is a must (as always) anyway!
Top tip, combining it with other antioxidants like Vitamin E will also offer a higher-level protection against free radical damage. Vitamin C is suitable for most skin types however those with super sensitive skin may find it irritating in high concentrations.
Our Top 5 Vitamin C Products
If you're looking to prevent visible signs of ageing or brighten up a dull and lacklustre complexion, there is a pretty big pool of supercharged Vitamin C infused products that will leave you with dreamy skin that glows.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
The SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is right at the top of our Vitamin C list along with its siblings, C E Ferulic and Phloretin CF. Silymarin is the most recent addition to this brilliant antioxidant range and it's targeted at oily and blemish-prone skin. The triple-antioxidant formula blends 0.5% Silymarin, 0.5% Ferulic Acid and 0.5% Salicylic Acid to reduce oiliness, refine skin texture, brighten and minimise premature ageing. It's simply the best!
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Alpha-H Vitamin C Paste with 10% L-Ascorbic Acid
The Alpha-H Vitamin C Paste with 10% L-Ascorbic Acid is a potent antioxidant in the form of a luxuriously smooth paste that melts right into the skin. It champions collagen production while reducing the appearance of discolouration. It's a pure Vitamin C and the perfect go to for those concerned with sun damage.
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Aspect Dr Active C Serum
Vegan-friendly and boosted with Aspect's unique blend of Australian botanicals. The Aspect Dr Active C Serum is everything you want in a Vitamin C serum. Packed with a blend of peptides, this formulation is set to turn what appears to be dull and lacklustre into plump and bouncy skin.
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Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum
The Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum was designed to outperform even the highest concentration of Vitamin C products on the market. While the incorporation of Vitamin C brightens and firms, Lactic Acid stimulates cell turnover for effective exfoliation while the Japonica Flower Extract soothes and calms in the process.
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Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum
The Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum is backed by science and clinically proven to optimise the health of the skin. Within just 1 week of use, this serum can rapidly reduce the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation. Combining the dominant ingredients of Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol and Plankton Extract, this correcting serum can address the main signs of ageing while adding radiance to the skin instantly.
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With a passion for product innovation and professional experience working at a leading global beauty brand, Ella comes well equipped with both the knowledge and love for what's trending and picking out the gimmicks from the must-haves. While Ella has an excitement for all things formulas and textures, she also enjoys walking along the beach and taking in the beautiful Australian sceneries, always with an English Breakfast Tea in hand.