Let’s face it, when it comes to hardworking ingredients, vitamin C always triumphs! Dull complexions, uneven skin tones, fine lines, acne scars – you name it, this essential nutrient can help fix it.
Here at Cult Beauty, we believe it’s time to shine the spotlight on the skin care superstar by uncovering the bountiful benefits of vitamin C while answering all your most asked questions.
So, without further ado… Sit back, relax and find out everything you need to know about the ultimate skin care saviour.
WHAT IS VITAMIN C
First things first, let’s take some time to understand what vitamin C actually is. Also referred to as ascorbic acid (for the chemistry whizzes among us), it’s a vital nutrient that supports a whole host of bodily functions – we’re talking everything from maintaining skin, bone and cell health to healing and protecting cells from free radical damage (pollution we’re looking at you!). And while it’s the most abundant antioxidant found naturally in our skin, our vitamin C levels reduce as we get older due to the water-soluble being destroyed by heat and light – which we are exposed to every day.
HOW DOES VITAMIN C WORK
Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen and is present in your skin, muscles, and other tissues. But, while vitamin C is essential for various health benefits, it’s not something you can naturally produce – as our bodies are unable to synthesize vitamin C. Instead, it’s a component that can be found in fruits, vegetables, supplements and plenty of beauty products. Strengthening your body’s natural defences, it halts external aggressors from reaching your cells. How? We’re glad you asked… Featuring photoprotective properties (which shield you from UV rays), it staves off oxidative stress caused by the free radicals that you encounter every day.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C FOR YOUR SKIN
Where do we begin? This little nutrient has a large impact! Whether you’re wanting a lit-from-within glow or shielding your skin from the sun’s rays, vitamin C is the solution that meets your many needs. Keep scrolling to find out just some of the key benefits this antioxidant brings…
Boosts brightness: Looking to invigorate your complexion and banish dull skin for good? Vitamin C has you covered. This powerful nutrient works overtime to reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten your complexion, giving you vibrant skin that would make anyone look twice!
Promote collagen production: Collagen is the MVP you need on your team if you want your skin to look as plump as possible. But that won’t be a problem if you add a vitamin C to your skin care regime! This skin superstar can support collagen production which, in turn, improves your skin’s elasticity while helping with the healing of scars and sunburn.
Acts as a hydrating hero: Adding to its long list ofskin-saving properties, vitamin C also prevents water loss. So, this means your dehydrated complexions can retain more moisture and stay hydrated for longer leaving your skin soft, supple and soothed.
Fights against free radical damage: Free radicals are the pesky particles responsible for many of our complexion qualms. They break down the skin’s collagen, which means it loses elasticity and can be responsible for unwanted build up. But that’s where vitamin C swoops in to save the day. It can help you ward off the damage from free radicals, enhancing a clearer complexion.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VITAMIN C
When it comes to making the most of vitamin C’s benefits, you’ll need to keep an eye out for one of these iterations in your ingredients list:
L-ascorbic Acid: a potent and pure version of vitamin C, it packs a huge punch in the right skin care formula. You can find a range of percentages of L-ascorbic acid, some as high as 20%+.
Ascorbyl Palmitate: this is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that is made by combining ascorbic acid with a fatty acid known as palmitic acid. Often used to help stabilise air-sensitive skin care ingredients, it works well with vitamin E to smooth and improve the health of the skin
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: similar to ascorbyl palmitate, this version of vitamin C is also soluble in fats. It’s super stable (which means it won’t oxidise as quickly when exposed to air, light or heat), and your skin can absorb it easily.
HOW TO ADD VITAMIN C INTO YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE
While serums may be the most common way of getting your daily dose of vitamin C, there are many routes you can take to recharge and replenish your radiance.
Serums: Designed to deliver a high concentration of actives, serums are an easy and efficient way to deliver vitamin C straight to your skin. They are designed to keep the ingredient stable while enhancing its penetration through the outer layer of your dermis. Vitamin C serums should be applied after cleansing, but before creams and oils to make sure they sink into the skin properly. We’ve got a whole guide on layering skin care to give you a helping hand!
How to use vitamin C serums: Use daily after toning, apply to dry skin and gently massage into face and neck.
SHOP ALL SERUMS >>>Cleansers: we know by now that vitamin C wins first prize when it comes to its luminosity levels. So, with that in mind, using cleansers is a great way of bringing your skin’s brightness back to life, while banishing make up, build up and daily grime.
How to use vitamin C cleansers: use morning and night as the first step of your skin care regime. Apply all over face and neck to cleanse your complexion.
SHOP ALL CLEANSERS >>>Toners: vitamin C and toners have a lot in common. The main skill they share? Their ability to reduce the appearance of pores. Boosting elasticity, vitamin C-infused toners help to fight fine lines while working hard to minimise stretched out pores.
How to use vitamin C toners: after cleansingswipe onto clean skin over the face and neck, day and night, avoiding the eye area. Follow with your regular skin care routine. Use daily.
SHOP ALL TONERS >>>Moisturisers: vitamin C-filled moisturisers keep your face hydrated and protected. Featuring ingredients like AHA and niacinamide, the antioxidant evens out your skin tone and removes dead cells, for healthier, happier results.
How to use vitamin C moisturisers: applymorning and night to cleansed skin as a final step in your daily routine. Rub into your face, neck, and décolletage.
SHOP ALL MOISTURISERS >>>
Eye Creams: it’s no secret that the skin around our eyes is extremely delicate, and therefore prone to dark spots and loss of elasticity. Fear not. Using an eye cream with added vitamin C helps to firm up your skin by promoting your collagen production.
How to use vitamin C eye creams: gently pat the formula around the eye area using your ring finger every night after applying your serum and before moisturising.
SHOP ALL EYE CREAMS >>>BEST VITAMIN C SKINCARE
Sunday Riley’s C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum holds the crown as the hydrating hero you should never be without. Packing a potent punch of 15% vitamin C, this formula works wonders for hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and general dullness. What’s more, powered by THD Ascorbate, this everyday essential improves visible loss of firmness while working on your skin’s luminosity as you sleep.
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Enjoy some well-earned TLC with Dr. Dennis Gross’ Vitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask. The ultimate foil for dry, dull and dehydrated skin, this revitalising treatment reveals radiant, replenished and rejuvenated results in just 15 minutes. Harnessing antioxidant-rich L-ascorbic acid to firm your complexion, the sheet locks in moisture while delivering your daily dose of hydration.
SHOP ALL DR DENNIS GROSS >>>A shot of sun for your under-eyes, Summer Fridays’ Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream depuffs, hydrates and smooths your skin. Bursting with the brand’s iconic vitamin C and peptide blend, the formula features amino acids that work together to produce the protein your complexion needs. Plus, instantly moisturising, it’s infused with caffeine to energise tired eyes. Sign us up!
SHOP ALL SUMMER FRIDAYS >>>With Kopari’s Lychee Clean Vitamin C Foaming Face Wash we forecast brighter and better skin days. How do we know? Well, firstly it’s brimming with antioxidant-rich litchi vitamin C, that fights off free radicals while keeping your complexion clear, calm and comfortable. Secondly, combining hydrating vitamin B5 and soothing allantoins, this foam delivers dew-drenching results all day long. Need we go on?
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Powered by the brand’s signature Super Berry Complex, LANEIGE’s Radian-C Toner dials up the dew, without stripping your skin. Packed with an ultra-stable vitamin C derivative — Vitamin C EAE – the featherweight formula paves the way for all your following skin care.
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So, now you’re an expert in vitamin C, it’s time to get ahead of the seasonal shift and bring brightness back into your skin. Ready, steady, glow!
SHOP ALL VITAMIN C >>> 
