There's is no denying that Vitamin C is one of the single most important ingredients when it comes to skincare. The antioxidant contains zinc to protect your skin from free radicals and UV rays that cause aggressive skin cancer. It also slows the aging process, repairs damaged skin, and even discoloration caused by everything from aging, to sun exposure, or dark circles under your eyes.
Sadly, however, while this powerhouse ingredient can be found in foods such as kale, kiwi, and broccoli, very little of it makes it to your skin. This is exactly why it's vital to implement Vitamin C as a topical solution in your daily anti-aging beauty routine.
The Role of Vitamin C In Sun Protection
These days, Vitamin C can be found in a multitude of skincare products from moisturizers, facemasks, and sunscreens. Sunscreens such as Zinc It Over, come packed with ingredients high in Vitamin C like acerola cherry, blueberry, and pomegranate. This makes achieving all the benefits of Vitamin C while protecting and hydrating easier than ever.
Most recently, Vitamin C serums have become a popular addition to skincare regimes, especially in the summer. According to Mona Gohara, a respected Dermatological surgeon, "Vitamin C serum is a skin saver that works well with sunscreen to prevent damage from strong UV rays." Because serums are made of smaller molecules, they are able to deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. Combining a Vitamin C serum with your sunscreen makes for the ultimate in skin protection and anti-aging!
Word spreads fast, and now there are a plethora of vitamin C serums on the market! We're hoping to help you determine the best in Vitamin C serums so you can reap all the benefits of combining it with your favorite sunscreen facial mist.
Check out our choices below:
1. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
This is widely considered the standard for vitamin C serums. First, thanks to a patented formula that is 15% L-ascorbic acid, allowing it effectively penetrate the skin and protect it. It also contains a higher pH level than most vitamin C serums, which makes it great for those people with hypersensitive skin or who may have skin disorders.
2. Obagi Professional-C Serum 20%
A great solution for those with dry skin, Obagi Professional C Serum includes the highest amount of L-ascorbic acid on this list. That allows it to deeply penetrate the skin, to protect against damaging UV rays. It's also a powerful enough to noticeably brighten your appearance and protect against hyperpigmentation.
3. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Day Serum
A great option for vegans and anyone concerned with animal welfare. Drunk Elephant C-Firma has a formula very similar to CE Ferulic but it's completely cruelty-free. As well as the L-ascorbic acid it's full of natural ingredients like pumpkin extract and a pomegranate enzyme to help exfoliate the skin. It's also packed in packaging that ensures that it won't degrade from exposure to light or oxygen. That's important since vitamin C serums can be unstable.
4. Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-day System with Pure Vitamin C
Generally, vitamin C serum is safe to use with hydroxy acid and other acne treatments. But if you're struggling with acne-prone skin and you want a vitamin C serum that won't degrade, look no further than Clinique. This serum contains salicylic acid, a powerful ingredient used in many acne treatments. Clinique powdered formula won't degrade as quickly as sprays for liquids. Just add water!
5. Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion, 30%
Not exactly a serum but if you are living in a drier climate or you want something for dry or maturing skin, revision skincare has your best option. It works as a moisturizer anti-age cream and vitamin C serum in one. It's the only serum on this list that contains a fat-soluble vitamin C instead of a water-soluble one. What this means is it can penetrate the skin deeper, to aid and trapping moisture in the skin thanks to natural sugar molecules found in the formula. It also contains vitamin D which helps promote healing and rejuvenation the skin and adds some much-needed moisture.
Vitamin C serums can provide a powerful defense against UV rays. It mixes easily with both acne treatments and regular sunscreen, and you can find a formula to fit your skin type. Adding vitamin C serum to your skincare regime can make a world of difference to the look, feel, and more importantly, health of your skin.