The benefits of vitamin C for younger, brighter skin

You may have seen several videos on social media praising benefits of vitamin C for your skincare routine.

In fact, this is one of the most recommended active ingredients by dermatologists, especially for patients who complain of skin aging and dullness.

But is this vitamin really beneficial? What are the advantages? Are there any substitutes? How to apply it correctly?

In today’s content, we will answer these and other frequently asked questions on the topic. So, if you want to improve your skincare routine, keep reading!

Vitamin C: is the 2020 active still attractive?

If you were on the internet in 2020, chances are you went through the boom of vitamin C, after all, practically all cosmetic brands have launched their version.

The famous serums, moisturizers and even facial soaps with vitamin C promised radiant and rejuvenated skin. But does this active ingredient really work, or did brands just want to stand out on the shelves with orange bottles?

This second perception is due to the fact that the active ingredient has gone out of fashion, so that the main brands have made room for other substances of the moment.

This raises the question: is vitamin C still attractive, or was it a passing fad?

If we consider that this active ingredient is still widely recommended by dermatologists, we will see that yes, the active ingredient is important. 

What happens is that just like the hyaluronic acid, vitamin C went through a sudden fame, and now it has returned to the normal stage.

That said, we will later understand the main benefits of vitamin C, so that you understand what makes it important for your skincare routine.

What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin health?

At this point you already understand why the hype around vitamin C has calmed down in the market, and that this has nothing to do with the fact that the active ingredient has lost relevance.

Now we will talk about the benefits of vitamin C for skin health, so that you understand why this active ingredient is still recommended by dermatologists.

It is important to understand that Vitamin C is an active ingredient with antioxidant and healing properties, which means that:

1. Its antioxidant properties prevent cell aging by combating the action of free radicals, which deteriorate them. 
2. The healing capacity promotes skin renewal, in addition to repairing micro-cracks that would open the way for infections and damage.

Therefore, we can consider this an important asset to prevent aging and ensure skin tone and radiance.

Is the asset suitable for everyone?

As we discussed previously, this active ingredient is not part of the category of substances that should be used with caution, such as retinoic acid, which when used excessively and without indication can even cause skin burns.

This means that excess vitamin C does not have the power to harm the skin, so theoretically it can be recommended for everyone.

However, it is important to understand that this substance requires an oily liquid as a vehicle to act. Therefore, serums and moisturizers with this active ingredient tend to have a more oily texture and a shiny finish.

So, if you have oily skin and don't like products with this texture, it might be better to look for an alternative active ingredient.

Remember that, for safety reasons, all skincare products must be recommended by a qualified professional, in order to guarantee safety and good results.

What is the correct way to apply this asset?

When we talk about vitamin C, we often hear that the active ingredient should be part of our skincare routine, but when?

The main recommendation is that you use the serum every day, in your morning skincare routine.

This is because, in this way, you will be protecting your skin from aggressions that usually occur throughout the day.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that vitamin C helps prevent sun damage, enhancing the action of sunscreen.

Therefore, follow the steps below to use the asset:

1. Wash your skin and apply an astringent to remove impurities and traces of oil.
2. Apply the vitamin C serum, making sure it is spread across the entire skin of the face and neck.
3. Apply your favorite moisturizer.
4. Finish with sunscreen, preferably non-oily, so that it does not increase the oiliness of the skin in conjunction with vitamin C.

Remember that you can apply makeup over this routine, but be careful to let the skincare products dry first.

Can I apply vitamin C and expose my skin to the sun?

Vitamin C is the commercial name for the famous ascorbic acid, and when we talk about acids, many people immediately worry about sun exposure.

In fact, some acids cannot be used when exposed to the sun, as they can cause stains and even serious burns.

However, in the case of Vitamin C, the active ingredient does not act in this way, being an important ally in protecting the skin against the sun's rays, as it combats the action of free radicals in cells.

Therefore, there is no impediment to you using the active ingredient outdoors, but the official recommendation remains: always apply sunscreen to ensure complete protection.

++What is Mandelic Acid and what is it for? – blogmagiadabeleza.

Main brands of Vitamin C on the market 

Throughout this content we were able to understand the benefits of vitamin C for the skin, so all that remains is to see some recommendations for purchase.

These recommendations are important because most products on the market do not have enough vitamin C to provide benefits to the skin.

So, using them would not bring any benefits, it would just be a waste of money.

That said, when choosing your vitamin C, it is important to pay attention to whether the product has at least 10% of active ingredient concentration. This is the minimum recommendation for action.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that this is a substance with an average price, so it is possible to find products from R$ 50 to R$ 250.

Below we will see some recommendations for products that really work:

Dermage Improve C 

The great advantage of Dermage's vitamin C is the fact that you can choose between two concentration percentages: 10 or 20%.

Therefore, if you want a more powerful action, choose the 20%, while for regular results, the 10% will do the trick.

This is an anti-aging serum that promises to treat fine lines and premature aging.

It is worth mentioning that Dermage is a famous and reliable skincare brand, and you can find serums for prices between R$85 and R$240.

Payot Vitamin C15

If you're looking for a more affordable vitamin C serum, Payot's option is certainly one of the best.

This is because this serum has an average price of R$ 55 and has a concentration of 15% of pure, nanoencapsulated vitamin C.

Furthermore, the product is paraben-free and promises to reduce oiliness and even out skin tone, making it a great alternative for people with oily skin.

Creamy Vitamin C Gold Pure

Creamy is a very famous brand among people looking for skincare products with fair prices and powerful active ingredients.

This alternative has an intermediate price, costing around R$ 75, and has a concentration of 10% of pure vitamin C.

It is worth noting that this is a light serum, with a non-oily texture, so it can be easily included in your skincare routine.

Principle 

Principia's vitamin C serum has a concentration of 10% of the active ingredient, and also contains 0.5% of ferulic acid, which helps to treat irregularities in skin texture and tone.

Additionally, if you have a problem with enlarged pores, this product promises to help reduce them, which also prevents pimples and blackheads.

That said, the big advantage of the Principia is its value for money, as all these advantages are offered for the average price of R$ 60.

Avon Renew Vitamin C 

Avon's vitamin C became very famous in 2020, when it was one of the only affordable alternatives that actually brought the minimum concentration of the active ingredient.

This alternative has the highest price, costing around R$ 125, but it brings some technologies that make up for the expense.

For example, the concentration of 10% of pure vitamin C guarantees the proportion of active ingredient corresponding to 1 large orange per application.

Furthermore, Avon promises that the active ingredient continues to act on the skin for up to 48 hours, which makes the product advantageous in terms of performance.

Table: Comparison of Vitamin C Options on the Market

Product	Concentration	Price	Benefits	Easy to find?
Dermage	10 or 20%	R$ 85 – R$ 240	anti aging and combating aging.	Yes, in pharmacies and online.
Payot	15%	R$ 55	reduction of oiliness and uniformity.	Yes, in cosmetics stores and on the internet.
Creamy	10%	R$ 75	anti-aging and whitening.	Medium – most common on the internet.
Principle	10%	R$ 55	reduction of irregularities, enlarged pores and oiliness.	Medium – most common on the internet.
Avon	10%	R$ 125	anti aging and skin renewal.	Yes, in catalogs and on the internet.

Finally, it is clear that, when it comes to cost-benefit, Payot's vitamin C is the most advantageous, considering price and level of concentration of the active ingredient.

But it all depends on the technologies you expect and how much you are willing to invest.

Pure Vitamin C Test: Are They Reliable?

When vitamin C hit the market, it was thanks to famous tests, in which the product was applied to an iodine solution that had to become transparent to prove the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

This test makes some sense, since iodine works as a free radical, and theoretically, the fact that the water becomes clear would prove the action of the substance.

However, it is important to say that this action will only occur with pure vitamin C and in a minimum concentration of 10%.

Therefore, if you want a pure and concentrated product, it makes sense to take the test into consideration.

However, remember that vitamin C in lower concentrations and combined with other active ingredients also brings benefits, so if your product is in this style, the test will not be as useful.

Finally, we hope that today's content has provided you with important clarifications. If you want to start using this active ingredient in your routine, follow the tips and remember to consult a qualified professional to indicate the best way to apply it according to your skin.

Read also: The Best Natural Ingredients for Skin and Hair Care – blogmagiadabeleza.