Vitamin C is one of the most talked-about ingredients in the skincare world, but is this warranted? So many ingredients become trendy for a while – is vitamin C one that has staying power?
The answer is a big yes. This is an ingredient that has been firmly backed up by multiple scientific studies. Each one confirms the ways in which this antioxidant can improve the look and feel of the skin.
Want to know more? Read on as Introstem talks you through the benefits of this superstar skincare ingredient.
The Skin Benefits of Vitamin C
Is it really true that vitamin C can be used on all skin types and can help the skin in just about every way? Yes, although it does get a little more complicated than that when it comes to choosing the right form of vitamin C for your skin type, which we’ll talk about in more detail soon.
With that said, whichever type of vitamin C you use, here are some of the benefits that you can expect to see after incorporating this ingredient into your skincare routine:
Skin That Looks Smoother, Tighter, and Younger
One of the main reasons why vitamin C has become such a popular ingredient is because of how it reduces the appearance of skin aging. With people increasingly seeking out ways to achieve a more youthful complexion, vitamin C has come into the spotlight.
Research shows that vitamin C is capable of leaving the skin feeling smoother and less wrinkled. It firms up the look of loose skin, which gives the skin a more youthful appearance. These results are intensified when vitamin C is combined with other antioxidants, which is exactly what we’ve done with the Introstem Stem Cell Eye Serum.
In addition to vitamin C, this formula boasts a long list of antioxidant-rich plant extracts, including green tea, aloe vera, calendula, and ginkgo biloba. Meanwhile, sodium hyaluronate hydrates the skin while peptides leave the skin feeling stronger.
Skin That Feels Better Hydrated
While some of the skin benefits of vitamin C are pretty well-known, others aren’t discussed quite so often, such as the way in which vitamin C can help to keep the skin feeling better hydrated.
Studies have found that some forms of vitamin C have a very hydrating effect on the skin. They slow down transepidermal water loss, which is when the skin loses moisture through evaporation. This helps to improve the skin’s moisture retention abilities, keeping it feeling consistently quenched.
These effects can be amplified when vitamin C is combined with other hydrating ingredients, just like in the Introstem Stem Cell Vitamin C Serum. From avocado oil and jojoba oil to olive oil and coconut oil, this serum is packed with hydrating botanicals. Better yet, it contains two forms of vitamin C to double up on its potency!
Dark Spots and Discoloration Will Look Lighter and Less Noticeable
Dark spots can appear on the skin for a number of reasons, with sun exposure being the main one. While some turn to harsh skin-lightening chemicals to tackle these, others prefer safer and gentler, yet just as effective, options, such as vitamin C.
Vitamin C works by targeting the appearance of excess pigmentation in the skin. It leaves those areas looking lighter, enabling them to blend seamlessly back into the rest of the complexion.
In addition to helping with the appearance of dark spots on the face, these effects can also make a big difference to the visibility of dark circles under the eyes. This is why vitamin C has been used in the Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream from the Bird Nest Collection. It’s combined with other ingredients that have a similar effect on the appearance of excess melanin, such as kojic acid and arbutin.
Any Scars Will Look Less Visible
There aren’t many topical ingredients out there that can help with the visibility of scars. Scarring tends to run deep, at a level that can’t be reached by topical products.
With that said, some studies have found that vitamin C is capable of reducing the appearance of scars. This is particularly noticeable when hyaluronic acid is also included in a skincare routine.
Whether or not this will hold true for your own scars remains to be seen. However, start exfoliating with the Introstem Stem Cell Facial Peeling and you’ll likely notice an improvement in your complexion pretty soon. This peel contains a number of super-powered ingredients that will leave any scars feeling smoother and softer.
When Combined With SPF, Skin That Feels Better Protected From UV Damage
Hopefully, you’re already aware of how important sun protection is when it comes to keeping your complexion healthy. Protect your skin from the sun and you’ll also be protecting it from the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, skin cancer, and more.
In order to do this, an SPF 30 sunscreen, like the Introstem VitisCell Facial Shield Cream SPF 30, is a must. However, did you know that adding a vitamin C serum into the mix, before you apply your sunscreen, can leave your skin feeling even better protected against UV damage?
This interesting effect has been backed by studies, showing, once again, just how incredible vitamin C can be for the skin.
A Reduction in the Appearance of Redness and Inflammation
Another reason to add vitamin C to your skincare routine is because of how it reduces the appearance of redness and inflammation. Research shows that it soothes the feel of the skin in a way that evens out the skin tone. It also helps to keep the skin feeling calm.
While inflammation can appear anywhere on the face, it’s usually most challenging to deal with when it develops around the eyes. This results in puffiness and eye bags. An eye cream that has been infused with vitamin C, such as the Introstem VitisCell Radiance Dark Circle Eye Cream, will quickly have a puffy eye area looking balanced and restored.
The Different Forms of Vitamin C
As we discussed earlier, vitamin C is available in several different forms. Ascorbic acid, which you’ll find in many Introstem products, including the ThermoStem Mask, is the purest. Although this form of vitamin C is sometimes linked with irritation and inflammation, this is usually down to the concentration of the ingredient that has been used. Keep things gentle, like how Introstem products do, and you won’t have to worry about any side effects.
Another popular form of vitamin C is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. It’s less acidic than ascorbic acid, making it better suited to those with sensitive skin. It’s also a good ingredient to use on the more fragile parts of your face, such as the skin around your eyes. This is why you’ll find it in the Stem Cell Rejuvenating Eye Cream from Introstem.
Extra Tips to Keep in Mind When Adding Vitamin C to Your Skincare Routine
If you haven’t previously used vitamin C much, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind when incorporating the ingredient in your skincare routine:
Be Patient
It’s only natural to want to see results as soon as possible when you add a new product to your routine. However, with vitamin C, you’ll need to practice some patience.
Unlike some other skincare ingredients, vitamin C doesn’t get to work immediately. Instead, it needs some time to accumulate in the skin before it starts to take effect. Based on the many studies that have been carried out on the ingredient, it would seem as though 12 weeks is the average wait before you’ll start to see some big improvements in your complexion from vitamin C. With that said, you’ll need to be consistent with your usage of it in order for this to hold true.
Take it Slowly
If your skin is reacting to a vitamin C product, this could be due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, it could be that you’re using too high of a concentration of the ingredient for your skin. When starting off with vitamin C, a lower concentration is always better.
Ideally, you should always also introduce this ingredient into your routine slowly. This is particularly the case if you’ve never used it before. Start by using it just a couple of times a week. Then, slowly increase that frequency as your skin grows accustomed to it.
Store it Correctly
Vitamin C is notorious for its instability. Over the years, stabler forms of the ingredient have been created. However, vitamin C is still known for being tricky to keep consistently stable.
The good news is that you can help with this by storing your vitamin C products correctly. Keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Any exposure to light, air, moisture, or fluctuating temperatures will only cause the ingredient to deteriorate. This will affect the overall efficacy of your vitamin C products.
Give Your Skin Extra Vitamin C From Within
While topical vitamin C products are great, you could be boosting the results that you see by also making an effort to include more vitamin C in your diet. The more vitamin C you feed to your body, the more your deeper skin cells will receive. These are the cells that are too far down to be touched by topical products. This means that your diet is the only source of vitamin C for them.
Fortunately, with so many tasty foods being chock-full of the antioxidant, eating more vitamin C is usually pretty easy! Some of the best food sources are:
- Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons
- Bell peppers and chili peppers
- Strawberries
- Blackcurrants
- Broccoli
- Mango
- Papaya
Summary
If you’re looking for a way to improve the look and feel of your skin, vitamin C is an ingredient that can undoubtedly help with this. With more and more people becoming aware of the many incredible benefits that this antioxidant can offer, it’s hardly surprising that the ingredient is drastically increasing in popularity, which means that it’s now easier to find than ever. With that said, don’t forget our tips when it comes to incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine. Take things slowly, be patient, and you’ll soon see the changes in your complexion that you were hoping for!
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