Here Is Why Everyone Is Raving About Vitamin C Serum

C for Complexion & Collagen

Photo by Paula Morin on Unsplash

There are literally thousands upon thousands of skincare products that exist today and every product claims to do this or do this with some even claiming to make you look like Angelina Jolie the next day.

Haha. Just kidding.

But for real, there are so many products that one can use to target a certain problem or improve one’s own skin. One such product happens to be a facial serum.

What is a facial serum?

A facial serum is a clear, gel-based or lightweight formulation that is specifically designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients deep into the skin. Unlike creams, lotions, or heavyweight moisturizers, serums are able to penetrate deeper into the skin because serums are made up of smaller molecules and this allows the skin to deeply and quickly absorb them.

Smaller molecules + high concentration of active ingredients = revitalizing powerhouse for your face

There are so many different types of serums to choose from with each serum targeted for a different problem and with each serum having its own benefits. One such serum that is getting all the attention these days is Vitamin C serum. It is basically a facial serum that has a high concentration of vitamin C. The 3 main benefits of a vitamin C serum mainly have to do with vitamin C:

1. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that helps protect against free radicals.
2. Vitamin C is an anti-aging ingredient that helps promote collagen production and reduces wrinkles.
3. Vitamin C serum results in an even and brightening complexion & helps reduce hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that helps protect against free radicals.

Let me first explain what free radicals are. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have unpaired electrons and so these molecules steal electrons from other cells which causes many diseases. Free radicals can break down our skin’s collagen which can result in wrinkling, fine lines, dark spots, etc.

That is where antioxidants come to the rescue.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron which then stops the free radical chain reaction. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and when vitamin C serum is applied to the face, it helps protect the skin against premature aging, wrinkles, fine lines, etc.

Before & After using vitamin C serum (Image from this source)

Vitamin C is an anti-aging ingredient that helps promote collagen production and reduces wrinkles.

First of all, what is collagen and what is all the talk about boosting collagen production?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and it is so abundant that it makes up 70% of our skin tissue. Collagen is responsible for the skin’s softness, strength, and elasticity. Anything that boosts collagen production helps the skin stay soft, smooth, firm and helps prevent any premature aging and/or wrinkles.

So, where does vitamin C come into the equation?

Vitamin C is the co-factor for prolyl hydroxylase & lysyl hydroxylase. Both of these hydroxylase enzymes catalyze the hydroxylation of proline & lysine residues of procollagen which helps the collagen molecule properly fold into its triple-helix structure. Without vitamin C, natural collagen production can’t take place. Collagen helps slow down aging by reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and helps promote a younger looking face.

Before & After using vitamin C serum (Image from this source)

Vitamin C serum results in an even and brightening complexion & helps reduce hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation also known as age spots or dark spots is caused by overactive pigment cells that produce more melanin than normal. This results in patches or spots of dark skin that is darker than the surrounding skin.

Since vitamin C is a naturally occurring antioxidant, it inhibits certain steps of melanin formation which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and helps prevent future dark spots.

Using vitamin C serum results in a more youthful and brightening complexion over time.

Image from this source

What to Know before using Vitamin C Serum

If you have read this article up to this point, then you must fully understand how amazing this serum is. There are a few things that I want you to understand before you go and buy this serum:

1. Vitamin C is particularly known for being very acidic and this can cause skin irritation, breakouts, and itchiness in people with sensitive skin. To be sure it is safe for you, do a skin patch test. Choose a small area of the face and apply some vitamin C serum there. Wait 24 hours and if you don’t see any redness or experience any breakouts or itchiness, then it is probably safe for you to use. To be even more safe, introduce vitamin C serum little by little into your skincare regimen until your skin becomes used to it.
2. When choosing a vitamin C serum, make sure the label mentions “L-ascorbic acid.” L-ascorbic is the most pure and potent form of vitamin C which allows the skin to easily absorb it.
3. Also look for vitamin C serums that have an L-ascorbic acid percentage of between 10%-20% with 20% being the optimal amount for skin absorption.

Vitamin C serum is truly a miracle serum and it is no wonder so many people are raving about it and leaving amazing reviews.

Sources:

11 Reasons to Use a Vitamin C Serum

9 Reasons to Use Vitamin C on Your Face, According to Experts