Long ago, Vitamin C was best known as a remedy for sailors suffering from anemia, weakness, and bleeding caused by scurvy. Since then, it’s been touted as everything from an immune system booster to the cure for the common cold. While it may not actually stop all the runny noses and sneezing, this essential micronutrient not only heals from the inside but is a powerful force behind maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
When your daily dose of Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) comes from fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, kiwi, kale, and berries, you reap this micronutrient’s cardiovascular and cancer-prevention benefits. You also tap into its anti-inflammatory properties for better joint health. It’s even thought that Vitamin C protects your eyes from developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
But it’s Vitamin C in the serum form that benefits your skin the most. Several drops massaged gently across your freshly washed face and neck, can turn back the clock on fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin. Made of pure L-ascorbic acid, the 20-percent concentration in Ebanel Vitamin C Serum helps your skin retain its natural moisture and gives you maximum protection against environmental stressors like UV rays, cigarette smoke, and pollution. Incorporate it into your daily beauty routine to get these skin benefits:
1. Free Radical-Fighting Antioxidants
Antioxidants in Vitamin C are super-effective in neutralizing free radicals and reducing the aging effects of oxidative stress. Your skin is better able to fight the damage caused by environmental toxins like radiation, pollution, pesticides, chemicals, ozone, and smoke. When you look in the mirror, you see fewer wrinkles, more muscle tone, and a smoother complexion.
2. UV Protection
Free radicals break down skin cells, a process that’s accelerated when you’re in the sun. That makes Vitamin C a potent weapon in your fight against the harmful effects of UV rays. (Note that Vitamin C allows the sun to be absorbed more deeply into the skin, which is why sunscreen is recommended if you use Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C will only offer UV protection when paired with sunscreen.) Studies indicate that when you’ve maxed out the SPF in your sunscreen, regular use of Vitamin C serum will boost your sun protection. Since it’s absorbed into the outer layers of your skin, the protection won’t wash off when you get into the water or sweat.
3. Collagen Production
As you age, your skin’s ability to make collagen declines, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a general lack of firmness and tone. With its high level of acidity, Vitamin C triggers healing by boosting the production of collagen and elastin protein fibers. The result is skin that appears plumper, smoother, and more toned.
4. Hydration
Though the tendency to experience dry skin increases as you get older, medication changes, illness, new skincare routines, and variations in your environment can cause episodes of dryness at any age. Vitamin C enhances the production of barrier lipids in the outer layer of your skin, increasing your skin’s ability to retain its natural moisture.
5. Less Redness and Inflammation
Just as Vitamin C relieves the bruising and bleeding associated with scurvy, it’s equally effective in reducing signs of inflammation and redness on your face and neck. L-ascorbic acid helps to repair broken capillaries and strengthens capillary walls to improve your skin barrier function, making Vitamin C serum an effective anti-inflammatory if you have acne.
6. Even Skin Tone
Call them sun spots or age spots, but it’s increased melanin production that is responsible for creating those oversized brown freckles on your face, arms, and hands as you age. Vitamin C serum impedes the production of melanin and fades dark spots, giving you a more even, unblemished appearance.
7. Faster Healing
Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory properties are also important in healing your skin. The nutrient’s ability to increase collagen production and moderate melanin production has the potential to reduce scarring as well. In fact, eating plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods and using a topical serum regularly is believed to minimize the formation of raised scars.
8. Brightness
Many skin products claim to make you glow, but Vitamin C is the real deal. Because the nutrient, in serum form, impedes melanin production, smoothes the skin’s outer layer, and reduces inflammation, regular use lightens and brightens your complexion for a glow that no make-up can match.
9. Safe for Hypersensitive Skin
Vitamin C serum is generally well-tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive skin. If you’re using it for the first time, build up the amount and frequency over time to minimize any sensitivity. Start with a product like the less -potent Vitamin C 10% serum, which will allow you to see how your skin reacts.Start by dabbing a test drop behind your earlobe, then move on to overall application every other day. Gradually build up to daily use as your skin adjusts to your new routine.
10. Reduced Appearance of Undereye Circles
The firming and hydrating effect that Vitamin C has on your complexion has the added benefit of reducing the appearance of undereye circles. Increased collagen production plumps the skin under your eyes that becomes thinner and more transparent as you age. You’ll notice a lighter tone and a more youthful appearance.
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Written by Ann Gibson for Matcha in partnership with Ebanel.