THE TRUTH ABOUT VITAMIN C SKINCARE

You’ve most likely heard of Vitamin C in skincare and may already use it in your routine. A highly efficacious ingredient that is suitable for all skin types, Vitamin C is used in a variety of ways and across different skincare steps.

Like all skincare ingredients, Vitamin C is most beneficial most when you know how to use it for your specific skin goals and concerns. To understand where a Vitamin C serum or infused moisturiser fits in your routine, read on.

Simultaneously brightening and strengthening, we explain how to apply Vitamin C so that your skin attains long term radiance. To discover how to incorporate this potent skincare ingredient in your routine, read our comprehensive guide below.

What is Vitamin C?

This regenerative ingredient occurs in a range of fruits and vegetables, but Vitamin C can’t be produced by our body. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C addresses oxidative damage. Caused by external and environmental stressors such as UV and pollution, oxidative damage accelerates cell breakdown, which can cause harm to skin and increases signs of ageing. The compound structure of Vitamin C protects skin from these effects.

What does Vitamin C do for skin?

When applied topically as a skincare ingredient, Vitamin C is highly reparative. The technical term for what Vitamin C does is neutralisation of free radicals – meaning that it both reduces and blocks the effects of unstable and harmful molecules.

By restoring damaged cells, Vitamin C addresses a range of skin concerns and improves skin’s vitality and appearance, no matter your skin type. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce sensitivity in skin and decrease breakouts and clogged pores for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The protective and restorative nature of Vitamin C also helps to prevent trans-epidermal water loss through the skin’s barrier, maintaining hydration for those with dry skin types.

We’ve listed the major benefits of this ingredient below.

Anti-ageing

When molecules break down and become unstable they form free radicals, which can cause wrinkles, fine lines and sagginess in skin. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C can restabilise the atomic structure of those molecules and prevent them from causing damage to skin. And for further anti-ageing, Vitamin C isn’t just restricted to its antioxidant benefits. Alongside its reparative features, Vitamin C is highly acidic, which means that it triggers skin to produce more collagen and elastin. This helps skin to improve and retain firmness and plumpness.

Skin brightening

The radiance-giving glow that Vitamin C is known for comes from its brightening properties. Skin’s melanin production increases as a result of sun exposure, which can cause dark spots, hyperpigmentation and discolouration in skin. As a brightening agent, Vitamin C inhibits melanin over-production in skin by blocking pigment synthesis, evening out skin tone and improving brightness at a deep level.

Types of Vitamin C

In order to use Vitamin C effectively for your skin type, it helps to understand the variations of the ingredient. The structures and potency levels range across the different types, so some forms may be more suitable for skin types than others. To understand how to use Vitamin C on your skin, know what level of concentrate will pair best with your skin type and goals.

Activated C

A next-generation form of this hero ingredient, Activated C is powerful and highly effective. This derivative restores the deep layers of skin by permeating beyond the surface layer, which helps it to fade acne marks as well as age marks, alongside discolouration. Activated C is used in our Clearly Corrective range, including the discoloration defying Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution and Clearly Corrective Brightening And Soothing Treatment Water, which visibly boosts clarity. Activated C is also used in our deeply hydrating Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment, and can be used by all skin types – including on sensitive skin.

Vitamin Cg

Otherwise known as Ascorbyl Glucoside, Vitamin Cg has a collagen-boosting focus alongside its antioxidant protection. This makes the derivative highly potent in reducing visible signs of ageing and as an anti-ageing preventative. 2% of Vitamin Cg is used in the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, for powerful and visible anti-ageing results.

Pure Vitamin C

You may be familiar with L-Ascorbic Acid, or Pure Vitamin C. This form absorbs easily into skin, and its effects can be felt immediately. Pure Vitamin C is used routinely by dermatologists to address signs of ageing and improve the texture of skin. 10.5% of L-Ascorbic Acid is used in Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, alongside hyaluronic acid for increased firmness in skin.

When to apply Vitamin C

The benefits of Vitamin C will be felt most through regular use. By creating a simple yet powerful skincare routine for morning and night, you can achieve radiance in skin whilst reducing signs of stress and damage. Vitamin C skincare is tailorable to how you like to apply products, as its inclusion is versatile across different skincare steps.

To choose when to apply Vitamin C, consider your main skincare ambitions. If you would like to reduce acne-marks or discolouration, opt for a penetrative serum like the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate. For those seeking to increase hydration, try a Vitamin C infused moisturiser like the invigorating Facial Fuel or Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment.

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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution

A dark spot serum that helps visibly reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks. Formulated with Activated Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid, this powerful duo of ingredients will help reduce discolouration, increase skin clarity and renew the look of skin. Kiehl's Dark Spot Solution is also paraben-free. Enjoy this dark spots correcting glow serum now!