5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHILE USING A VITAMIN C SERUM | WHO SHOULD USE VITAMIN C SERUM?

Dermatologists and other skin specialists frequently recommend vitamin C as one of the most advantageous substances to include in a straightforward, everyday face-care routine, along with SPF, retinol, and a gentle cleanser.

While the well-known antioxidant appears in a lot of face masks, toners, mists, and moisturizers, a strong, concentrated serum is usually the most effective way to transport it directly into your skin for optimal benefits. But since vitamin C is a volatile substance that is susceptible to change when exposed to light and air, it can be just as challenging to master as retinol.

The efficiency of Vitamin C serums can be diminished by a few blunders, despite the fact that they are generally gentle and suitable for use on all skin types. Here are five errors you could be making when using vitamin C serums, along with suggestions for how to fix them.

What does vitamin C do for skin?

According to Christopher Corinthian, an Avon development scientist, vitamin C is crucial. It is a potent antioxidant that battles free radicals, which are brought on by aging factors including pollution. These environmental “nasties,” as Nicolas Travis, a skin expert and the creator of the skin-care line Allies of Skin, explains, cause inflammation, which is thought to be the cause of a number of skin problems, such as breakouts, a breakdown of collagen, and an excess production of melanin that results in dark spots.

Vitamin C is also a well-known brightener that can balance out skin tone when used frequently. According to Travis, vitamin C can lessen dark spots by preventing the production of more melanin in the skin. “When used consistently, this helps improve brightness.” Additionally, the substance can increase collagen production. As we age, collagen production decreases, according to Travis. “Vitamin C supports what we have for younger-looking skin by helping your skin repair damaged cells.”

Mistakes To Avoid While Applying A Vitamin C Serum

The timing

Although there isn’t a fixed way to apply vitamin C serums, doing so in the morning is typically advised. The serum can increase the sun protection factor of vitamin C when used in conjunction with sunscreen. Before going outside, make sure the serum has dried completely on your skin because light exposure can diminish its efficacy.

The order

To get the most out of your skincare products, it’s crucial to layer them properly. Vitamin C serums work best when used immediately after toner. Put a few drops on your palms and gently pat your skin with them. Allow it to penetrate completely for a few minutes before sealing it in with a moisturizer.

The formula and concentration

Vitamin C serums are not created using the same methods or materials as other common components like retinol and niacinamide. For instance, a product may state that it contains vitamin C, but it may only include citric extracts. This isn’t the same as L-ascorbic acid, which is the powerful version of vitamin C that can treat a variety of skin issues. Depending on your skin type and concerns, choose the proper formula and concentration (2%–20%).

The mix of ingredients

Consider the product’s entire formulation while selecting the best vitamin C serum for you. If the product is a serum with only one ingredient, you only need to choose the appropriate concentration. However, there are serums on the market that contain a wide range of substances to further stabilize the Vitamin C concentration and provide other advantages.

 The pairing

Although most substances can be used with vitamin C, it is not advised to use it in the same routine as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Because using these components together can irritate the skin, especially in people with sensitive skin.

 

Which ingredients should you avoid when using vitamin C?

Travis advises against using any exfoliating acids right after applying vitamin C to prevent irritation. You can utilize both in the same regimen without a doubt, but just not at the same time, he says. Use exfoliating acids in the evening on alternate days and vitamin C in the morning every day.
Dr. Paris Acharya, a cosmetic physician in London, advises against using niacinamide, a popular ingredient in skin care products, when utilizing vitamin C. According to Dr. Acharya, “Niacinamide inactivates vitamin C if it is in a combination water-based solution.” Niacinamide can still be used; just include it in your nightly regimen if you don’t want to completely avoid it.

 

Is vitamin C Safe For Everyone?

Anyone with any skin type can use vitamin C on a regular basis in both its purest form and in common skincare derivatives. Any new product, including one containing vitamin C, may cause moderate responses in some persons with extremely sensitive skin.

Be sure to consult your dermatologist before using any new products if you have a history of having sensitive skin or if the components in the goods cause any concern.

Due to the fact that pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), which is a form of acid and occasionally quite harsh, can be used in skincare products, people with sensitive skin may want to avoid using them.

Fortunately, there are gentler varieties of vitamin C that can help avoid any unpleasant responses.

Different Forms Of vitamin C In Skincare

It’s important to understand that not all vitamin C types are made equal. L-ascorbic acid, often known as ascorbic acid, is the only pure form of vitamin C, as we have already learnt. Many safe, high-quality skincare items come in this form and have the recommended percentage of vitamin C (at least 10% of the contents).

But other formulations contain vitamin C that can still be just as effective, even if the ingredients don’t contain vitamin C’s purest form. Other forms of vitamin C that show up in skincare ingredients lists include:

• Sodium ascorbyl phosphate

• Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate

• Ascorbyl palmitate

• Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

• Retinyl ascorbate