The Benefits of Vitamin C and Vitamin C Serums.
The benefits of Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market — and is key to maintaining a smooth, even and healthy looking complexion.
Although you’re getting vitamin C in your diet, there’s no way to guarantee that it’s going straight to your skin. Using serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap the benefits of Vitamin C.
The benefits of Vitamin C.
01 It’s safe for most skin types
Vitamin C has an excellent safety profile. Most people can use topical vitamin C for an extended period of time without experiencing any adverse reactions.
02 It’s hydrating
Vitamin C derivatives used in skin care, has been shown to have a hydrating effect on skin. It decreases transepidermal water loss, allowing your skin to better retain moisture.
03 It’s brightening
Vitamin C can help smooth the skin’s surface to reduce dullness. This gives skin a youthful glow.
04 It reduces the appearance of under-eye circles
These serums can help smooth out fine lines by plumping and hydrating the under-eye area.
Although vitamin C is more effective at reducing overall redness, some people say that it can help alleviate discolouration associated with under-eye circles.
05 It promotes collagen production
Vitamin C is well known for boosting collagen production.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that depletes over time. Lower levels of collagen can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
06 It may help prevent skin sagging
Collagen production is tied to skin elasticity and firmness. When your collagen levels begin to drop, your skin may begin to sag.
Applying a vitamin C serum may boost collagen production, resulting in an overall tightening effect.
07 It protects against sun damage
Sun damage is caused by molecules called free radicals. These are atoms with a missing electron. Free radicals search for other atoms from which they can “steal” an electron —and this can lead to significant damage to the skin.
Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect healthy skin cells by “giving” these free radicals an electron, rendering them harmless.
We use Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Schaf Revitalizing Serum uses Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a very stable form of Vitamin C.
Many skincare products use a Vitamin C derivatives that are very unstable - turning brown and becoming ineffective in no time (even after a few weeks after exposure to air).
However, we use Ethyl Ascorbic Acid since it is an "etherified derivative of ascorbic acid" that consists of vitamin C and an ethyl group bound to the third carbon position. This makes Vitamin C very stable and soluble in both water and oil.
However, for a Vitamin C derivative to work it's not enough just to be stable, they also have to be absorbed into the skin and be converted there to pure Vitamin C. We have good news - there is data demonstrating it can get into the skin, and it seems to be better at it than Ascorbyl Glucoside, another vitamin C derivatives.
We also package our Revitalizing Serum in airless pumps, so the contents are never exposed to air and prevents any possible oxidation or contamination.
If you have other products that contain Vitamin C, make sure to keep an eye on it. If the product has darkened or otherwise changed colour, the vitamin C has likely oxidized. Although the product is still safe to use, it no longer carries the same benefits.
The bottom line
Vitamin C can help heal blemishes, reduce hyperpigmentation, and give your skin an out-of-this-world glow.
Consistency is key for maximum effect, so add it to your routine in a way that makes sense for you.
Some people apply it in the morning to take advantage of its UV-protectant properties, while others find that it works best as a night serum.