Photo: Zen Chung

How do you know if vitamin C is working?

Also, keep in mind that it can take two to four weeks of daily usage to see results, so keep a close watch on your skin. If it starts looking brighter, that's a sure sign your vitamin C products are working.

chatelaine.com - Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin C In Skincare - Chatelaine

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Vitamin C is a firm favourite in the beauty industry, thanks to its brightening and tightening properties. The ingredient is frequently recommended by dermatologists as it harnesses multiple skincare benefits, is safe to use on all skin types and doesn’t have the same potentially skin-irritating side effects as other active ingredients like retinol. Want to see what vitamin C can do for you? We asked Dr. Marc DuPéré, aesthetic plastic surgeon and founder of Visage Clinic in Toronto, and Dr. Shannon Humphrey, cosmetic dermatologist and medical director at Carruthers & Humphrey in Vancouver, to share everything you need to know about using the powerhouse ingredient in your skincare routine.

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that has antioxidant benefits for the skin when applied topically (think: fading hyperpigmentation) and immune-boosting benefits when ingested. “It’s important to get adequate vitamin C in your diet and vitamin C levels are correlated to eating fresh fruit and vegetables,” says Humphrey. She suggests pairing dietary vitamin C with topical applications to yield the best results.

What are the skincare benefits of vitamin C?

Vitamin C has long been considered a skincare staple because it’s not just a one-trick pony—it has multiple skin benefits when used properly. “Vitamin C protects the skin from UV damage, it suppresses pigmentation (goodbye, dark spots!) and it also preserves the integrity of collagen and elastic fibres and even promotes synthesis of collagen,” says Humphrey. Because it is such a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is able to help minimize sun damage and inhibits melanogenesis, which is the process of pigment formation in the skin. “[It] detoxifies, brightens and evens out the complexion and strengthens the skin’s vascular wall providing an anti-inflammatory effect” says DuPéré.

How do I pick the right formula for my skin?

For starters, both DuPéré and Humphrey say that using a vitamin C serum is the most effective way to make the most of the ingredient’s benefits. “An aqueous base formula such as a serum is preferred for home use as it provides better absorption and is an easier application,” says DuPéré. Since different skincare products contain different percentages of vitamin C, it’s worth seeking advice from a physician or skincare expert. But to get you started, DuPéré says you should look for stable 10% to 20% L-ascorbic acid (a specific form of the vitamin) mixed with vitamin E for better absorption. For first-timers, look for products formulated with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is a stable form of Vitamin C—DuPéré says this form is less irritating to the skin and is generally tolerated by all skin types.

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When do I use vitamin C?

While some active ingredients can only be used at night, vitamin C can be used during the day. In fact, it’s usually recommended for daytime use because of its free radical protection, something your skin generally needs more of during the day due to pollution and UV rays. Humphrey says the best way to use it is to apply a few drops of vitamin C serum on freshly cleansed skin every morning, followed by moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen. “Because vitamin C has a reservoir effect, using it once a day is sufficient as it will have an affect on your skin for up to 24 hours,” says Humphrey.

Do I need to introduce it into my skincare routine slowly?

While some more potentially irritating skincare ingredients, like retinol, require a slow introduction to your skincare routine, vitamin C doesn’t require quite as much caution. Though vitamin C isn’t a common irritant for most skin types, DuPéré still advises using products infused with the ingredients just a few times a week to start with and working up to a daily routine. If you feel a slight tingling sensation upon application, it’s completely normal. “Vitamin C can be used on all skin types but because the pH of the product is low, sometimes it can have a slight stinging sensation,” says Humphrey. “[People] with sensitive skin may feel that more than others, but all patients can benefit from adding a vitamin C into their regime.” It just comes down to finding the formulation that’s best for your skin.

I’ve read that vitamin C is unstable. What does that mean?

That just means vitamin C is water-soluble and breaks down when exposed to oxygen. This property makes products containing vitamin C tricky to formulate, and their potency more difficult to maintain once the bottle has been cracked open. To keep your products as effective as possible, Humphrey recommends storing any vitamin C skincare at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. She also advises looking for formulas that are packaged in dark glass containers or opaque packaging, which will help improve stability and reduce oxidation. If you’re unsure of how long your vitamin C will last once open, look for the information on the packaging. “There are formulations that will last just a month and there are others that will last up to three months, but it’s generally not a product that can stay on your shelf for six, nine, twelve months,” she says. Keep in mind that fresh vitamin C products work better.

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When shopping for skincare, does a more expensive vitamin C formula equal better results?

Not necessarily. Another consequence of vitamin C’s instability is that brands have to spend more time and money on research to ensure that their products are shelf-stable and will be properly absorbed into the skin—and that cost is often passed along to consumers. “The formulations I’ve seen with reasonable scientific evidence behind them have a [slightly higher] price point,” says Humphrey. But a higher price alone isn’t enough. “When looking at formulas, it’s not about money, it’s about evidence,” says Humphrey. “You want to have clear scientific evidence that the product is stable so that when you open it and put it on your skin, there’s actually still vitamin C in it and that it’s also penetrating the skin.” Skimming packaging won’t get you far when it comes to finding a quality product, so seek out recommendations from experts and do your research. Look for brands that post before and after photos of their research, along with study results. Also, keep in mind that it can take two to four weeks of daily usage to see results, so keep a close watch on your skin. If it starts looking brighter, that’s a sure sign your vitamin C products are working. Shop a few of our favourite vitamin C-infused products below. Vitamin C Products 2022 The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Sheet Mask $6, thebodyshop.com

Originally published in 2019; updated in 2022

chatelaine.com - Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin C In Skincare - Chatelaine

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