Vitamin C

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Vitamin C is a key ingredient in a healthy diet—but is it a vital component of a skincare regimen, too? It’s become a bit of a hot topic, particularly for beauty bloggers, and there seems to be merit to the claims. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C has research backing its effectiveness in boosting collagen production (which helps keep your skin look plump and supple) and warding off the effects of free radicals (which jumpstart signs of aging). 

“Vitamin C is one of the most studied and efficacious ingredients in skin care,” says esthetician Heather Wilson of InstaNatural, a national product line. “Topical application will support overall skin health, just as getting your daily dietary intake of vitamin C keeps your immune system supported.”

Getting just the right formula of vitamin C, however, is tricky. The vitamin degrades quickly when exposed to oxygen, light, and water, so it needs to be mixed with other ingredients to remain stable. Formulas with high concentrations of vitamins could also be risky for those who are prone to redness and irritation, so look for one that has a concentration between 10 and 15 percent. “The only real risk of using vitamin C could be skin irritation,” says Sydney Blankenship, founder of the national skincare line SkinBySyd. “To avoid this, you should always do a patch test before full

application.” If you’re looking at packaging and don’t see vitamin C listed, search for ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid, both alternative names for the antioxidant. 

Although no one needs a vitamin C serum, it might be your best best for brightening up dull skin, evening skin tone, and protecting the skin from those pesky free radicals. To use it most effectively, apply the serum twice a day, right after using a cleanser, and follow it up with a moisturizer to seal in its ingredients.