Vitamin C helps protect the skin, providing luminosity and helping to prevent the signs of aging and spots.
Frequent use of vitamin C does not create sensitivity to the sun, since it is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin, minimize spots and expression lines. courtesy photo
Taking care of our skin is not only synonymous with beauty but with health, and the face is one of the areas of the body that sometimes only receives sunscreen as maximum coverage. If you want to protect your skin from free radicals, improve the appearance of skin blemishes, and delay aging, vitamin C will become your best skincare tool in 2023.
Important
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals produced by the sun. According to dermatologist María Belén Estrella Romero, vitamin C reduces the damage caused by the sun, but it is not a sunscreen since it does not absorb or reflect ultraviolet radiation, but it does reduce the degree of inflammation or redness caused by the sun.
“Vitamin C is not produced naturally in our body, therefore it is recommended to incorporate it into our facial care routine, as it helps combat the harmful effects produced by free radicals and visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, the passing of the years causes deterioration of the skin of the face due to oxidation, which is why it helps the skin to look fresher, brighter and more revitalized”, adds María Paulina López, Marketing Manager of Avon Ecuador.
Benefits
Just as consuming oral antioxidants help the body fight free radicals, topical antioxidants do the same for the skin, helping to decrease damage from ultraviolet light exposure by preventing, reducing, or neutralizing free radicals. This fight not only helps keep the signs of premature aging at bay, but also protects the skin from precancerous changes caused by UV light, says Estrella.
Another benefit with its frequent use says the dermatocosmiatrist is that it increases the production of collagen in the skin, improving wrinkles and inhibits the synthesis of melanin, which is what causes spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin and prevents the formation of brown spots, clarifies and evens out the skin tone.
Application
Theoretically, Estrella affirms, vitamin C can be used in the body, but it must be considered that its absorption, by nature, is low in the skin and if we add other factors such as the ph of the product, easy oxidation what’s wrong with it.
“Usually topical vitamin C for the face comes in small, short-lived bottles. Therefore, for body use, larger bottles would have to be used, so it is worth asking if a vitamin C for body use will maintain all its properties? ”, she underlines.
Solar exposition
“This is a myth, vitamin C does not cause sensitivity to the sun. On the contrary, it is a powerful antioxidant that protects against sun damage,” says Estrella, who also recommends applying sunscreen after use.
López mentions that within their line they have a clinically proven serum, suitable for all skin types and tones. “Within its formula, the scientific team led by women has chosen 10% concentration ascorbic acid, one of the purest of vitamin C. It is always recommended to follow the instructions for use of the product printed on the box to enjoy its benefits and apply it properly ”, she indicates.
contraindications
Estrella emphasizes that vitamin C can cause irritation if mixed with other components of the skin care routine, such as retinoids or when the skin is very sensitive or dry.
“(…) you should avoid applying it on irritated, wounded or injured skin. It must be remembered that consistency in the facial care routine is the secret to showing off fresher and more luminous skin”, says López.
Myths about stains
According to a publication on the website www.isdin.com, vitamin C helps to inhibit the production of tyrosinase, which is an enzyme that stimulates the production of melanin that pigments our skin. Thus, it helps to prevent the appearance of spots due to the sun or pollution.
This belief arises from the fact that vitamin C is a photosensitive ingredient (which means that when it comes into contact with light it loses activity), but it is not photosensitizing (that is, it does not make our skin more easily irritated when in contact with light). with the sun).
skin types
Ideal for normal to oily skin with photodamage. It is not recommended, from the outset, on very sensitive and dry skin. If so, Estrella advises using those with a concentration of 10% or less and also emphasizes that their application should start from the age of 20.
“It is ideal for both young skin and adult skin that has contact with external agents that can damage its appearance, vitamin C helps protect the skin, giving it luminosity and helping to prevent the signs of aging and spots,” López emphasizes.
Daily use
If you use it in the morning you should go before the sunscreen. You can also use it at night, but if it is the nighttime skincare routine you use retinoids, you should not mix them, especially if you have very sensitive skin, as it could become irritated. There are skins that tolerate its use up to twice a day.
It is also important, within the facial care ritual, to clean and prepare the skin with micellar water; moisturize with your day and night face creams; and make use of your sunscreens to defend it from UVA/UVB rays.
Accessories
Some moisturizing or moisturizing products usually have vitamin C in their composition. Moisturizers or moisturizers are hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides and are usually combined with vitamin C, therefore they will be oriented as anti-aging, antioxidant or adjuvant moisturizers in the treatment of stains.
“If you are going to take vitamin C orally as supplements, for example, do not take it in excess as it can cause nausea, diarrhea, kidney stones, vomiting. The recommendation 65-90 mg/ day max. 2000 mg/day, and of that dose, only a small percentage reaches the skin, so if you are looking for an effect on the skin, I think that it would be best to use it topically”, points out Estrella.