There’s a reason it’s known as the vitamin VS-elebrity. Despite coming in third on the red carpet for skincare ingredients, with an anti-aging ‘A’ and then an anti-rash ‘B’, the citrus-famous vitamin C gets first. places skincare experts around the world as timeless. , classic anti-ageing ingredient from A to Z. Its skin-efits are just the tip of the skin!
Most skincare enthusiasts know the importance of vitamin C and the evidence behind it, and for those who don’t, we’re not going to keep the benefits of this superhero from citrus! But is our skin ready to absorb this powerful antioxidant?
With so many different types of vitamins VS-eleb there, this topical vitamin can become vitamin VS-onfusing regarding which form is best for your unique skin type. We’re here to give you an overview of all the juicy benefits of vitamin C, explore its different forms, and how our founder created a stable form of vitamin C found in our top products for brighter, younger-looking skin.
What is Vitamin C?
Citrus itself is a health superstar, and it’s no secret. Whether it’s sipping an alkalizing lemon-infused water or boosting your vitamin C intake from orange juice to stave off the winter cold, we’re more than a little in awe of citrus fruits and depend on its health benefits. While we’re quite impressed with the entire citrus family, vitamin C has a unique status as a body and skin renewal VIP!
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient known for its role in immunity and supporting nervous system function. This powerful vitamin is necessary for the growth and repair of all tissues in the body, including the largest, the skin. Vitamin C is considered an essential vitamin, which means that our body cannot produce it on its own, and therefore needs a helping hand!
Getting this nutrient from the foods we eat is one of the easiest ways to reap its benefits. Fortunately, vitamin C can be found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including berries, kale, kiwi, broccoli, papayas, peas, and citrus fruits. According to National Institutes of Healththe recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men.
Meanwhile, individuals often obtain the benefits of this nutrient in several other ways: not only by taking multivitamins or supplements for their diet, but also through skincare products like serums and face masks. vitamin C. This isn’t too surprising though, as vitamin C can provide a multitude of benefits to the skin. More on those soon!
How does vitamin C work?
Before shedding light on the main benefits of vitamin C, we need to know how this super antioxidant works and why it is loved for our skin. Unfortunately, there are things that hide “for free” in our daily environment and harm our skin. These “outside sources” or free radicals can include UV rays, toxins, pollution, environmental damage and more than our eyes can see.
The problem with these environmental recluses is that our bodies and cells are continually bombarded with these lawless, body-friendly radicals and they can damage the dermis of the skin and alter the DNA, moisture barrier, skin texture, color, cell function and how your skin ages. It’s all oxidative stress. So how does vitamin C help with this?
The excellent antioxidant properties of vitamin C prevent and stop cell damage caused by oxidants. In fact, when properly applied, vitamin C does not oxidize at all. This shows how topical vitamin C can prevent oxidation and therefore slow the visible signs of aging.
The different types of vitamin C for the skin
Vitamin C is a universally loved supplement with an impressive track record. Applying it topically can help protect delicate skin from daily aggressors and support a youthful complexion. But the key to this citrus wonder isn’t just the product – it’s the particular form of vitamin C that’s applied.
Let’s explore the chemistry of this spectacular beauty ingredient and find out how each form of vitamin C differs from the next. We’ll also cover why certain shapes work better in certain formulations – don’t worry, we’ll make it easy for you as 1-2-VS!
#1: Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid is the best known and most studied form of vitamin C in skin care. It is most effective at penetrating the skin barrier; the most commonly used type of vitamin C; it is overall stable, water soluble and quite effective.
When properly formulated at a pH below 4, this type of vitamin C has great anti-aging benefits for normal skin. Sensitive skin should seek a higher pH of 5-7 – closer to the skin’s natural pH – to avoid irritation. Start with a low concentration of 10% for dull or uneven skin tone and slowly increase as skin can tolerate it.
PRO-TIP: For oily or normal skin, L-ascorbic acid may be most beneficial, while dry and sensitive skin may experience adverse effects.
#2: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Unlike L-ascorbic acid which can penetrate the skin, sodium ascorbyl phosphate turns into ascorbic acid once applied to the skin. Although this process makes it less active, it will be less irritating and beneficial for sensitive skin.
#3: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
This type of vitamin C, also called MAP, is water soluble, which makes it ideal for easily penetrating into the skin. It is one of the most hydrating in its class and it can effectively soothe skin irritations thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. MAP is also great for acne-prone skin, as it can prevent oxidation that leads to blackheads.
#4: Sodium Ascorbate
This vitamin C undergoes a metamorphosis on the skin. Just like its close relative sodium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbate belongs to the category of mineral salts. As we know, ascorbic acid is the purest form of vitamin C, and this form is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid. But it’s not lacking in its many skin benefits, from scavenging free radicals to lightening skin discoloration.
#5: Calcium Ascorbate
As another mineral salt of ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate – often referred to as Ester C – is an anti-aging antioxidant that plays a central role in collagen synthesis, tissue and wound repair, and antioxidant defense. Calcium ascorbate also has excellent skin moisturizing effectsand is effective at neutral pH, which means it is non-irritating to the skin.
#6: Ascorbyl Palmitate
As a fat-soluble derivative of Vitamin C, Ascorbyl Palmitate will be non-irritating to sensitive skin, but more stable when exposed to air and light than Ascorbic Acid. Ascorbyl palmitate has milder effects on the skin than ascorbic acid. However, it is still beneficial for helping collagen production, fading hyperpigmentation, and improving skin texture.
What makes our vitamin C serum so special?
If you remember from the start of this article, we’re not going to keep the benefits of vitamin C, and that includes in the spirit of transparency, offering the ins and outs of our beloved vitamin C products.
Our vitamin C formulas contain a concentrated, stabilized and easily absorbable form of plant-derived vitamin C. This increases the potential for better collagen production and powerful antioxidant defense.
Conventional cosmetic companies use less stable forms of vitamin C, which oxidize too quickly and can cause problems for your skin. During oxidation, vitamin C turns into skin-damaging free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging and degenerative skin diseases. Founder and Chief Creator of 100% PURE, Susie Wang, first discovered it in college after buying a popular vitamin C product, which oxidizes quickly and poses dangers when it is applied to the skin.
It became her mission to turn the tide on preventing harmful vitamin C oxidation in skin care. Susie’s years of experience and expertise have resulted in a stable and potent form of Vitamin C. We have developed targeted Vitamin C products with the powerful celebrity benefits of citrus fruits in mind.
Forms and Benefits of Vitamin C Found in Skin Care Products
Before we dive into the illustrious benefits and forms of our favorite vitamin C formulas, keep in mind that you should be using this brightening ingredient year-round.
Generally, vitamin C is safe for daily use. While it’s a good idea to use it as part of your skincare regime all year round, it’s especially important to apply it in the winter because of the environmental protection it provides. When dry, cool weather can dehydrate skin, vitamin C helps replenish your skin’s natural barrier.
Without further ado, let’s celebrate what makes vitamin C such great skincare. VS-celebrity!
Our Vitamin C Mask is a concentrated skin brightening treatment with two forms of Vitamin C: Sodium Ascorbate and Calcium Ascorbate. Designed to support collagen and elastin production, this herbal mask was created to revitalize the skin and eliminate dullness and dark spots with lactic and kojic acids, and it comes with extra brightening power thanks to the fruit enzymes papain and bromelain.
Our cult-favorite natural vitamin C serum uses ultra-stable magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, combining it with an extra hydrating aloe gel base to deliver a drink of hydration to thirsty skin. It contains antioxidant-rich botanical extracts like green apple and grape, as well as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) for the production of collagen and elastin, while fighting oxidative damage and discoloration with a another antioxidant vitamin E.
Our Vitamin C Boost is an ultra-concentrated treatment with only two ingredients: vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. In this blend you’ll find sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate for a triple punch of our favorite vitamin. It’s buffered with hyaluronic acid to deliver a silky, hydrating texture and is perfect for dark spots or general luminosity.
Our PM Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidant Serum is your nightly complement to your daytime Vitamin C Serum. Working with the same potent yet stable base as our signature Serum C, this anti-aging superstar uses Vitamin C, D Phosphate 10% Magnesium Ascorbyl (Vitamin C) and Niacinamide to help minimize dark spots and promote a healthy glow.
Our PM Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidant Treatment is an antioxidant powerhouse, formulated with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate for gentle nighttime rejuvenation. It works at the cellular level to combat collagen depletion while promoting firm, plump, youthful-looking skin. This velvety cream delivers a luxurious level of hydration for softer, younger-looking skin upon waking.
Our 18.3% Active Ingredient Vitamin C Glow Max Luminous Mask will transform a dull complexion into a refreshed, luminous and hydrated glow with this concentrated Vitamin C-enriched treatment that will leave your skin feeling totally radiant. With age-correcting Bakuchiol, CoQ10 and Vitamin E, this mask will brighten, boost collagen, increase elasticity, firm, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while deeply hydrating and softening the skin .
There’s a reason vitamin C has become so popular, and why it’s a beauty staple in nearly every home. Vitamin luminescent should definitely be your plus (or few) in your daily and nightly skincare routine. Knowing which type of vitamin C to use for your skin is the best way to boost your anti-aging and brightening benefits – after all, knowledge is what takes your skincare to the next level!
