Ever wondered what all the fuss about adding Vitamin C to your skincare routine really is? Skin specialists often recommend vitamin C to add to an everyday skincare routine along with SPF and other actives. Vitamin C is a potent ingredient found in several cleansers, toners, face masks, serums, and moisturisers. However, vitamin C can be challenging to master, especially when it comes to skincare since it's an unstable ingredient that changes its consistency when exposed to air and sunlight. Read on to find out why this hyped molecule should be your best friend, how you can introduce it to your skincare routine to get that perfect glow this festive season and the different Vitamin C benefits for skincare.
What is Vitamin C?
When it comes to vitamin C in skincare, it is one potent antioxidant that protects your skin against harmful UV rays, pollution and environmental factors leading to skin damage. It occurs naturally in our skin, but we start to lose it gradually over time due to sun damage and ageing.
Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin
Now that we have a fair idea of how Vitamin C and skincare go hand in hand, let’s have some more insights on how it benefits the skin.
Brightens skin
When you use vitamin C in skincare routine, it helps to even out your skin and make it brighter and glowing. This is because it can prevent the production of melanin which is responsible for the pigmentation in our skin, hair and eyes. Many of us have some darker patches on our skin because of the overproduction of melanin in that area, leading to hyperpigmentation and skin discolouration. Using vitamin C-infused skincare products helps combat this.
Protects your skin
It is undeniable that vitamin C can help prevent damage to our skin caused by environmental aggressors such as UV rays, pollution, and smoke, to name a few. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties which help prevent the signs of ageing caused by free radicals, which are molecules that are unstable in the body.
Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Vitamin C helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles since the antioxidant properties in it help boost collagen production in your skin. Collagen is responsible for the firmer, bouncy feel of your complexion, which improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Building A Skincare Routine With Vitamin C
Follow these steps to get the most out of this antioxidant in your daily skincare routine to get the much-needed glow.
Cleanse your face with a face wash
Introduce a Vitamin C facial cleanser into your routine. They are safe to use daily and can give your skin a healthy glow. Remember to follow this up with gentle exfoliation. Vitamin C works best on exfoliated skin! The build-up of dead cells prevents the absorption of the nutrient, rendering it ineffective.
Follow it up with a scrub
When you have dead skin cells, dirt, pollution, and other pollutants sitting on your skin, it makes it difficult for skincare products to penetrate your skin. This is why exfoliating your skin is crucial before using an active ingredient. Follow the cleansing up with a gentle exfoliator.
The Lakmé 9To5 Vitamin C+ Scrub is infused with the goodness of walnut shell powder and Licorice extract, both of which help in exfoliating your skin and giving a healthy glow. It is a gentle scrub that not only contributes to unclogging your pores but also helps rejuvenate and even out your skin tone.
Spritz that mist
A vitamin C toner or mist works amazingly well when it comes to soothing your skin. It not only helps in tightening your pores but also balances the pH levels on your skin. One such potent face mist is the Lakmé 9To5 Vitamin C+ Facial Mist which is infused with Vitamin C, liquorice and rose water extract to keep your skin soft, supple and glowing all day long. It helps to refresh, soothe and cool your skin and keeps it super hydrated and healthy.
Top it up with a serum
The most commonly used vitamin C skincare product is vitamin C serum. Antioxidants like vitamin C are best introduced to your skin through serums as they are super hydrating. A vitamin C serum offers a healthy skin barrier that can fight multiple skin problems like ageing, pollution, sun damage and dullness. It also improves the texture of your skin, fades dark spots, and reduces fine lines, making it radiant, nourished, and healthy.
Use the respective day or night moisturiser
The vitamin C content in a moisturiser is powerful to eliminate dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. A day cream helps to improve your skin tone, brightens your skin and fights pollution and sun damage. However, remember to top it up with sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. A night cream, on the other hand, gives you a beauty sleep in all its glory!
This Lakmé 9To5 Vitamin C+ Overnight Sleeping Mask contains nourishing shea butter apart from vitamin C to work on all your skin woes while you sleep. You'll wake up with glowing, refreshed, and revitalised skin that's soothed and brightened overnight. This sleeping mask also heals your skin and evens out your skin tone and makes it look healthier and younger.
I love how vitamin C in skincare regime is effective and powerful to combat different skin concerns. This skincare regime has helped me reduce my acne marks and hyperpigmentation and I can’t be more thankful! Do try these products out and give your skin the much-needed nutrient infusion.
FAQs on Using Vitamin C
Can I use vitamin C under my eyes?
Yes, you can. It actually helps to reduce the appearance of dullness and dark circles.
Do I need to use sunscreen with vitamin C?
Of course! Not using sunscreen over a vitamin C product is a big no-no. While vitamin C protects your skin from sun damage, it makes your skin photosensitive. Always make sure to layer sunscreen over your skincare products.
Is Vitamin C suitable for everyone?
Vitamin C is generally considered suitable for all skin types, but some side effects may occur in people with hypersensitive or oily skin. Breakouts, redness, and itching are among the side effects. It is rare and is entirely dependent on person to person. Hence, make sure to patch-test all the products before using them to check your skin’s tolerance.
Written by Kinnari Ashar on Oct 20, 2022