Did you know that Vitamin C is legendary in the skin care world? Some say it is the magical ward for all things skin-related, and for a good reason. This incredible anti-inflammatory, antioxidant nutrient improves skin tone and texture, hydrates the skin, and even reduces signs of aging.
You can get Vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, but that is not the only way to enjoy its benefits for skin health. It is widely used in cosmetic products. Researchers have discovered that topical Vitamin C is significantly more effective than consuming it when it comes to healthy skin.

Adding Vitamin C to your regular skin care routine can not only brighten your complexion but also protect against skin damage often caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals. This potent antioxidant is widely used in face cleansers, oils, serums, and moisturizers.
How Vitamin C Supports Skin Care
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient that plays a vital role in keeping your skin healthy. Topical Vitamin C is clinically proven and has a wide range of clinical applications thanks to its anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti pigmentary properties.

This potent nutrient offers many benefits for the skin, including the following:
- Make collagen, which keeps skin youthful and plump.
- Heal wounds easily.
- Repairs and maintains damaged skin and cartilage.
- It diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Even skin tone.
- Brighten up the complexion.
- Prevent premature aging.
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots.
Why is Vitamin C highly recommended for skin?
Vit C is not just limited to its antioxidants properties, but it is beyond it. Since this vitamin is highly acidic, it works efficiently in skin-healing processes. When you apply it topically, it works instantly to heal a wound by accelerating the production of elastin and collagen.

Remember that collagen and elastin are protein fibers that enhance skin cell regeneration. As a result of this skin regeneration, your skin becomes firm and tight. Collagen may also help delay your skin’s aging process and prevent dark pigmentation.
How to Use Vitamin C for Skin Care
Whether your skin is oily, dry, or a combination, Vit C is beneficial for skin health, helping it look and feel healthier and younger longer. There are two ways to use Vit C for skin care: nutritional intake and applying it topically.
Nutritional Intake
Foods rich in Vit C, such as oranges and berries, offer many health benefits. It is indeed true that you can get plenty of Vitamin C by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. But dietary Vitamin C generally would not provide enough for you to see a noticeable improvement in your skin.

This is probably because dietary intake of Vit C is sufficient to reach lower levels of your skin but generally would not reach the top layers of the skin. However, eating only a pint of blueberries is not likely to help your skin get that youthful glow. That is where topical vitamin C comes in.
Topical
Topical Vitamin C is absorbed directly into the topmost layers of your skin, allowing it to get to work immediately on smoothing your skin texture. It works by reducing fine lines and dark spots and protecting against free radicals.
Vit C is available in facial serums and moisturizers. Serums are more concentrated and are more easily absorbed in the skin than moisturizers. Which is why most skincare specialists recommend vitamin C serum.

Sometimes, less is more. Most research says that Vit C is best implemented into your skincare routine when you use it as a topical serum. Even serums containing low concentrations of Vitamin C, under 1 percent, still deliver antioxidant protection and skin benefits.
Are you ready to incorporate Vit C into your daily skin routine? Your skincare routine should generally include:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Vitamin C serum
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
Before you start using, test a patch of skin with a lower-concentration formula to see how your skin reacts. Some minor tingling is normal, but if you experience anything more intense, immediately stop using the product and talk to your dermatologist.
Benefits of Vitamin C for Your Skin
Along with the other significant health benefits, the vitamin is key to skin health. It stimulates collagen and elastin production, which improves the skin quality and texture. Here are some great benefits of vitamin C for your skin:
Reduce Undereye Circles
When you notice dark circles under your eyes, especially after a night or two of inadequate sleep, you are actually seeing a network of blood vessels just under the skin.

In one of the clinical studies, researchers observed that taking Vit C could help reduce and prevent dark circles under your eyes by strengthening the otherwise delicate, thin skin under the eyes. The antioxidant properties of the vitamin can make your skin more elastic, helping conceal the blood vessels underneath.
Collagen Production
Interestingly, Vit C is essential for producing collagen in your body. Do you know that collagen is the building block of your skin, muscles, hair, and tendons, and it is the key ingredient that keeps our skin looking smooth and youthful? As you age, collagen production slows down, which might lead to sagging skin.
When applied topically, Vit C can accelerate the production of both elastin and collagen, which help keep your skin firm and plump. Topical Vit C can help prevent premature aging of your skin, restoring a youthful appearance to the skin.
Treats Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation, a commonly occurring condition characterized by the development of darker spots on your skin. The condition is often caused by overexposure of your skin to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and environmental stresses. Although harmless, this hyperpigmentation could make you appear older.
One study confirmed that Vit C’s antioxidant properties play a vital role in combating unwanted dark spots and preventing symptoms of aging caused by sun damage. The vitamin could also help inhibit the production of tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that aids in the production of melanin that prevents hyperpigmentation.
Note that Vit C does not affect your normal skin coloration. It will not fade away normal dark skin pigmentation, only the abnormal melanin deposits caused by sun damage.
Hydrates Skin
Without sufficient moisture, the epidermis or the top layer of your skin starts to dry out. This dryness leads to itchy, scaly skin and premature aging. Hydration is essential in keeping your skin healthy and youthful-looking.
Fortunately, it has been clinically proven that Vit C can help your skin retain water, keeping it smooth and plump. In addition, the vitamin can prevent your skin from becoming too oily or dry.
Researchers also found that people who were given a supplement containing Vit C showed significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.
Reduces Redness
Uneven, blotchy, and red skin can result from a number of factors. It could be because of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and other conditions like sun exposure, hormones, and medical conditions.
But you do not have to live with such skin redness, thanks to Vit C. Several research showed that this powerhouse vitamin can minimize redness because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vit C can also help mend damaged capillaries that cause skin redness, creating smoother skin.
Protects from sun exposure
Prolonged sun exposure can horribly affect your skin, leading to rough skin, skin tanning, redness of the skin, etc. The topical application of Vit C works as an antioxidant, protecting your skin from UV rays. Combinations of Vitamin E and Vitamin C are more effective in preventing the skin from sun damage than vitamins alone.
How to Use Vitamin C for Your Daily Skin Routine?
Vitamin C is indeed full of various nutrients, including antioxidants. Although you are getting enough Vit C from your diet, there is no guarantee that it will reach the skin. Hence for better skin results, you need to apply it topically.
There are different options available in the market, such as vitamin C containing lotions, serum, moisturizer, and creams. However, most dermatologists often go with serum for the best skincare result. This is probably as the serum is a lighter formulation than a moisturizer that gets easily absorbed into the skin. Also, do not forget to apply vitamin C sunscreen before stepping out.
Risks
As you might be aware, Vitamin C is generally safe when consumed in foods or applied topically. But those with allergies or sensitive skin might experience a yellowish discoloration of their skin.
Some people might experience irritation such as itching, stinging, and dryness after using topical Vitamin C. You can treat this by layering a moisturizer over the Vit C serum when you use it. In addition, you should also moisturize daily. If your skin is sensitive, you can also start with a lower concentration of Vit C to observe how your skin reacts.
No matter your skin tone or skin type, it is important to test Vit C out before making it a part of your daily skin care routine. Start by applying it every other day or every few days. Once that suits you, work your way up in frequency to avoid potential irritation and redness.
Conclusion
Vitamin C is perhaps one of the most well-researched skin care ingredients. When you are young, levels of this powerful antioxidant in the skin are abundant. But as you age, they naturally deplete away, giving rise to skin problems. Vitamin C skincare products such as moisturizers and serums can help supplement, leading to skin that feels firmer, smoother, and has a brighter, more even complexion.
When purchasing a Vitamin C serum, you should look for dark bottles. This is probably because Vit C breaks down when exposed to light or air. You should look for dark glass bottles to help maintain their efficacy and stability.