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As a child, my parents encouraged me to drink my orange juice to make sure I was getting enough vitamin C to keep my immune system strong. As an adult, skinfluencers on TikTok encourage me to put it on my face.
They say vitamin c serum it can help you achieve a radiant complexion, so i had to ask the experts how vitamin c could benefit my skin.
What are the benefits of vitamin C in skin care?
“Vitamin C is an amazing multi-tasker,” says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of facet dermatologyhe told BuzzFeed News via email. “It is a powerful antioxidant, which is why it defends the skin from free radical damage; promotes healthier collagen for firmer, smoother skin with less visible pores; And it’s a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it helps inhibit the formation of discoloration, leading to brighter, more even skin.”
Tyrosinase is an enzyme that contributes to the synthesis of melanin, one of the causes of dark spot formation, so inhibiting it will help treat discoloration and uneven skin tone, said Dr. Julia Tzu, founder and director of Wall Street Dermatology. And since vitamin C contributes to collagen synthesis, it can also play an important role in skin healing.
Board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Annie Chiu added that evidence-based studies have shown that active forms of topical vitamin C improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
Is topical vitamin C safe for the skin?
“Vitamin C is considered safe for all adults and one of my most recommended skin care ingredients, even during pregnancy,” Chiu said by email. “If you have allergies, you should always patch test any skin care product. Skin that reddens easily, is prone to rosacea, or is sensitive can sometimes be irritated by high percentages of highly active forms of vitamin C such as L-ascorbic acid.”
Tzu and Yadav agreed that higher concentrations of vitamin C have the potential to irritate very sensitive skin, and would also recommend a small-area patch test before full-face application in those cases.
It is important to note that not all types of vitamin C used in skin care are created equal. The most common is ascorbic acid, which is also the most potent. Another popular form is sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Chiu said. Also called encapsulated vitamin C, it may actually be better for people with sensitive skin since it converts to ascorbic acid within the skin, making it weaker but also softer.
What to look for in a vitamin C serum
Ascorbic acid is the pure, active form of vitamin C and also the most researched and proven to deliver results, Yadav said. Therefore, Chiu said, the most potent formulations on the market will contain ascorbic acid as an active ingredient at a concentration of 10% to 20% with a pH below 3.5.
However, it is also a more unstable form, so it works best in a base (such as a serum) combined with other antioxidants such as ferulic acid and vitamin E, additional antioxidants that help protect the activity and potency of the vitamin. C, keep it stable and prevent it from rusting.
Other common and acceptable forms include ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, which has better storage stability and skin penetration, and tetrahexyldecyl (or THD ascorbate), which is a stable, fat-soluble ester of vitamin C with low irritation potential, according to Chiu. He may see vitamin C in oils, moisturizers, or cleansers, though he said it will come in lower levels that make it less effective than a serum.
All three experts said that a serum is the best vehicle for applying vitamin C to the skin due to its potential for higher concentrations, stabilizing properties, and tolerability across all skin types. Tzu believes that serums are also popular because they are so versatile; You can use them day or night, they are light and easily absorbed without leaving a greasy feeling.
So, without further ado, these are the best dermatologist-approved vitamin c serums.