Should We All Be Using A Vitamin C Face Wash?

Vitamin C is universally touted as the powerhouse skincare ingredient that restores glow, smooths fine lines and acts as a barrier against daily stressors including environmental pollution and sun damage.

Available in a wealth of different formulae, spanning from oils and creams to serums and vitamin c face wash, we've delved deeper into why Vitamin C is so beneficial for your skin and is an important step to add to your daily routine.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that has been hailed for its many wonderous benefits and can be found naturally in certain foods. The key benefits include improving your immune function, boosting collagen production, preventing or delaying cardiovascular disease and limiting the damaging effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity.

In the realm of skincare, Vitamin C is available in several active forms with the most active and well-researched being ascorbic acid (otherwise known as L-ascorbic acid). L-ascorbic acid, however, is highly unstable which means that it can oxidise when exposed to UV light and air (meaning its effectiveness will gradually diminish when exposed to these elements). Dermo-pharmacist, Dr Colette Haydon, states ‘other vitamin C derivatives such as Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate are more stable but less effective than Ascorbic Acid.’

Benefits of Vitamin C

There are many benefits of the topical use of Vitamin C. 'It boosts collagen, regulates melanin production and scavenges free-radicals, making skin brighter and more evenly toned,' explains Dr Haydon. It acts as a shield against pollution, environmental stressors, excessive sun exposure and free radicals – damaged cells that contribute to ageing on a daily basis. Vitamin C is also in the antioxidant family and so works to protect and detoxify: it protects the structure of our skin and promotes the production of collagen to keep it looking plump and firm. Basically, incorporating this potent ingredient into your skincare routine, whether in a vitamin C serum, a vitamin C moisturiser or a vitamin C face wash, you name it, will restore that sought-after glow, smooth fine lines and make you look more youthful and radiant.

Does Vitamin C work?

Yes! The powerful antioxidant ingredient is compatible with most skin types and significantly brightens and livens the skin's complexion. To get the best results ensure you do your research and buy from a brand you trust and, as Dr Haydon suggests, apply in the morning - either by way of a vitamin C serum, a vitamin C infused moisturiser, or even a vitamin C face wash - to reap the antioxidant benefits all day long. Eating foods enriched with vitamin C and consuming vitamin C supplements orally, alongside committing to a vitamin C-rich skincare regime, can accelerate the good doings of the ingredient.

Who should not use Vitamin C?

As vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory it is advised that those with more senstive skin, or those with acne-prone skin, should not use it in large dosages. Purer forms of vitamin C shouldn't be used every day - more a one-day-on-one-day-off affair.

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