May 3, 2023 BY

Vitamin C is one of the most popular ingredients in the skincare realm. It has garnered immense popularity thanks to its many benefits, all of which are legit considering they are backed by scientific research. Vitamin C has become a staple in many skincare routines, the best way to use it is in the form of a serum. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-aging properties, the use of vitamin C improves the appearance of skin and leaves a beautiful glow on the face along with many other benefits. Keep on reading to find out how you can reap the many benefits of this universal skincare holy grail!

What is Vitamin C Serum?

For starters, let’s find out what vitamin C really is. Vitamin C is very important nutrition-wise and can be found in certain fruits and vegetables, the best sources of it being oranges, cantaloupes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin C is naturally present in the skin and helps to boost collagen production, maintains the skin barrier, has water retention properties that keep your skin properly hydrated and has antioxidant properties (discussed later in detail). 

When it comes to vitamin C, simply eating it in your diet doesn’t cut it, because it doesn’t really reach the skin cells this way. This is because our epidermis – which is the outermost layer of skin doesn’t have blood vessels to send the nutrients to the skin. However, this isn’t much of a problem because we now have vitamin C serums in topical forms. You can directly apply the serum to your skin that absorbs right in the skin and does wonders!

According to a survey by Euromonitor, Pakistan’s beauty and personal care market was worth $2.5 billion in 2020, with skincare products accounting for a significant portion of it. Vitamin C Serum has become increasingly popular in Pakistan due to its numerous benefits and effectiveness.- ADMIN

Vitamin C Serum Benefits

As mentioned above, there are many benefits of applying vitamin C serum topically, let’s delve into them.

Protects skin from damage

Vitamin C is best known for its antioxidant properties, which help to protect the skin from free radical damage and other environmental pollutants such as UV rays and air pollution. Free radicals are unstable molecules that contribute to skin damage and premature aging. Vitamin C helps to neutralize these harmful free radicals, protects the skin from oxidative stress, and reduces the appearance and formation of fine lines, age spots, and wrinkles. This further helps to promote even skin tone and brightens complexion. According to research, topical application of vitamin C has been shown to increase antioxidant activity in the skin by up to 8 times.

Apart from free radicals, UV radiation is another factor that greatly damages skin. Vitamin C reduces sunburn caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. It also helps to reduce the production of free radicals which is triggered by exposure to UV rays. Moreover, using vitamin C with vitamin E and other topical ingredients can also help soothe inflammation caused by sunburn. Using vitamin C can fortify the benefits of both products, as they complement each other really well. You can get extra sun protection and prevent the chances of photoaging which is very common nowadays.

Boosts collagen synthesis and firmness of skin

Collagen is a protein that maintains the skin structure and elasticity. Collagen production naturally declines with age, which leads to the sagging of skin. Many studies show that vitamin C counters this by stimulating the synthesis of collagen and maintaining the firmness and plumpness of the skin.

Reduces hyperpigmentation

Widely recognized for its skin-brightening properties, vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the appearance of dark spots, age spots, acne scars, and sun spots. By reducing the production of melanin in the skin, vitamin C helps to brighten and even skin tone while reducing hyperpigmentation, leaving a beautiful glow on the skin.

Skin repair and scar reduction 

Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen which helps in wound healing and tissue repair. Applying vitamin C serum promotes the formation of healthy skin tissue which aids the healing process of the skin. If you are dealing with acne scars, skin blemishes, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, vitamin C reduces the appearance of all and improves overall skin texture.

Reduces dark circles

Dark circles or under-eye bags are formed due to the pooling of blood under the eye. Vitamin C reduces the appearance of dark circles by thickening the skin under your eyes, thanks to its collagen-boosting ability.

There are many researches that back the efficacy of vitamin C. Vitamin C also provides a gentle and mild exfoliation to the skin, which is necessary to the skin as it removes the dead cells from the top layer of the skin. Vitamin C can often be found mixed with other ingredients such as vitamin E and ferulic acid, all of which work in harmony with each other.

Final Thoughts

The benefits of vitamin C are all backed by clinical research. Best known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is a great addition to any skincare routine, and no, it’s never too late to use it and is usually suitable for all skin types. If you are worried about whether or not it will work for you, it is best to do a patch test first, which can be done by applying vitamin C on a small area of your skin and leaving it on to see if it has any bad reaction. If it does, then it is best to switch to another brand or product. The benefits of vitamin C include protection from sun damage, improving overall skin texture, promoting radiance and glow on skin, reducing the signs of aging, and more. However, it is necessary to choose a formula that is suitable for your skin, which is why it is best to consult a dermatologist before incorporating it into your skincare regime, especially if you have any underlying skin conditions.