Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits of vitamin C for skin, including how to choose the best formula, when to apply it, and exactly what this all-star vitamin can do for your skin. Get ready to glow.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C, which also goes by ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin that isn’t actually produced by the body. Instead, the only way to get it is through supplements or your diet — citrus fruits like oranges are famously rich in vitamin C. And it has vital functions throughout the body. “Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in tissue repair and the enzymatic production of various transmitters,” says Dr. Patricia Wexler, a dermatologist in New York City.
While you can certainly eat your way to a healthy vitamin C intake, your skin in particular reaps the biggest benefits when it’s applied topically versus ingested via an oral supplement or your diet, no many how much grapefruit you eat. “Topically, it’s 20 times more potent than the oral intake,” says Wexler.
What are vitamin C’s benefits for skin?
In short: everything. For one, “vitamin C promotes collagen production, which has the potential to thicken the dermis, diminish fine lines, and is essential for firm, youthful skin,” Wexler says. On top of that, vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it protects skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.
It also inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone, and enhance skin radiance. Finally, “vitamin C helps to repair damage from sun exposure and collagen loss by encouraging healthy cell turnover and regeneration,” says Wexler
How to use it
Apply vitamin C as a serum in the mornings — that is, after cleansing and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. “I think the best vitamin C skin care products are serums because they are more effective at penetrating the skin barrier than, say, a cream or toner,” says Chapas.
Then, be patient. Most skin care products take time to start working, and vitamin C takes a little longer, even with daily use. According to Wexler, you won’t notice any significant changes in your skin for six to eight weeks. If you have sensitive skin, do a skin test first, as the high acidity can be irritating.
What to look for
You can maximize the benefits of vitamin C by combining it with other antioxidants. “This works best with vitamin E and ferulic acid,” says Chapas. “Together, they have optimal absorption benefits when it comes to anti-aging, skin brightening, and protection against free radical damage.”
It also plays well with vitamin B and hyaluronic acid. However, “do not mix vitamin C with a retinol or niacinamide,” because the pH levels are incompatible, says Wexler. If you want to use both, she suggests waiting half an hour between applications.
Also worth noting: Vitamin C is notoriously prone to oxidizing. “It can break down when it’s exposed to light or air,” says Chapas. “Always check expiration dates on your products, and if you notice a sour smell or discoloration, it’s most likely breaking down
