Black can crack, especially if environmental factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C can help prevent premature aging and help minimize dark spots and prevent hyperpigmentation.
A group of friends was over my house recently for an upcoming mission trip my husband is helping to plan. Randomly, all the dudes had to leave early for one reason or another, leaving only the women going on the trip, most of whom I was personal friends with, so I started my Sunday skincare routine at my dining table with my husband and remaining ladies sitting across from me in the living room. Sunday is the only day that I have to really prepare for the week ahead, so I made the most of my time by multi-tasking. Needless to say, I derailed the conversation a few times with my distracting Bentonite clay mask and started to touch on skincare, specifically (summer) acne and the miraculous power of a great Vitamin C Serum.
Why Vitamin C
But why is vitamin C so awesome and why should you make it a part of your skincare routine? “Naturally derived sources of vitamin C have multiple skin-care benefits since it’s an antioxidant that helps to repair free radicals created from the sun and environmental damage,” says Naissan O. Wesley, MD, FACMS, a board-certified dermatologist
Consuming food rich in antioxidants aids your body in fighting off free radicals. Topical antioxidants support your skin in the same way by helping to minimize the effects of UV damage and exposure to air pollution. Antioxidants prevent or reduce damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. In a nutshell, antioxidants help keep our bodies and our skin cells healthy.
Multiple Ways Vitamin C Benefits the Skin
Vitamin C's skin-saving benefits aren't limited to its antioxidant status. It has many other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in any brown girl's medicine cabinet.- Black can crack, especially if environmental, stress and life factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C is highly acidic, triggering the skin to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin. Elastin and collagen are naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. By helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent premature aging of the skin.
- Hyperpigmentation problems? We love melanin but dark spots can be annoying. Vitamin C is a superior brightening agent that works to fade dark spots without altering normal skin pigmentation. As an added bonus: with continued topical use, vitamin C can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place!
Adding Vitamin C to your Daily Skin-Care Routine
Dermatologists note: the most important thing is the form the vitamin C ingredient comes in, whether it is mixed with other antioxidants and how you use it.
- look for the term ascorbic acid (aka L-ascorbic acid), which is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skincare.
- most dermatologists agree serums are more effective than creams or toners.
- make sure it is mixed with other antioxidants. The effectiveness of vitamin C increases when combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E. Side Note: a good serum should be in a dark bottle. Vitamin C will break down when exposed to light or air, so dark glass bottles help maintain its stability and efficacy.
- serums should be layered underneath your moisturizer.
- if you're new to vitamin C on your skin, start slow. It's potent and you only need a few drops if you are using a quality brand. If you have sensitive skin, test before going all in.
Rohr Remedy Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Face Serum A hydrating skin-firming oil-free serum for normal skin. It contains Kakadu Plum, which has the highest source of Vitamin C in the world. |
Try these great vitamin C serums
- Andalou Naturals Turmeric + C Enlighten Serum
- Anything from 100% Pure's serum collection
- Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum
- Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
- Rohr Remedy Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Face Serum
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