What does vitamin C serum do?

What does vitamin C serum do?

Vitamin C, also called L-ascorbic acid, is a key nutrient that plays an important role in our general health. We get our essential doses of vitamin C through the foods we eat every day, but can applying a vitamin C serum directly onto the skin have additional skincare, health, and aesthetic benefits?

GP Dr Ginni Mansberg, skin expert and founder of ESK Skincare, explains why the skincare industry is keen to use vitamin C:

Are all vitamin C serums created equal?

Vitamin C for skin is so popular in the skincare industry that it's hard to know which product to choose. There's also a danger of over-paying, but the most expensive aren't always the most effective.

Different formulations of vitamin C serum can alter its strength and effects in the skin - but as well as thinking about the price you should consider the following information:

"Ideally, a good vitamin C serum should be combined with vitamin E and, even better, with ferulic acid as well," adds Mansberg. These additional ingredients help the vitamin C to work better and prevents its potency from vanishing into the air.

If you can't find the above information on the ingredients list, check the manufacturer's website.

Patient picks for Other skin problems

Skin, nail and hair health

Retinol: skincare benefits, side effects and more

Whatever your age if you've ever thought about skincare, you've probably heard of retinol. But if you're unsure exactly what it is - or why you might need to know - you're not alone. To muddy the water, the term 'retinol' is used in similar contexts as 'retinoid' and 'retinoic acid' among others. Here's an overview of retinol, its benefits for the skin and things to think about before adding it to your skincare routine.

by Allie Anderson

Skin, nail and hair health

Skin ulcers

An ulcer is a break in the skin, through which the underlying tissues can be seen. There is usually a problem affecting the normal healing of the skin. There are a number of different types of skin ulcers. Treatment may vary depending on the type of ulcer.

by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP

How to use vitamin C serum

While vitamin C serum is generally well tolerated, it can take a little while for your skin to get used to it, and like all skin care products there are possible side effects:

• Redness.

• Itching or a mild burning sensation.

• Bumps under the skin.

Does vitamin C help acne?

For most people, using vitamin C serum comfortably takes a little patience and persistence. This is especially true if you have acne-prone skin, as the best quality vitamin C serums are oil-based which may lead to breakouts.

You can introduce it gradually into your skincare routine by:

1. Applying a small sample to your forearm.

2. Wait to see if your skin reacts badly.

3. If no side effects occur, apply it to your face as the label instructs.

4. To gradually increase your tolerance, you may wish to either start applying a smaller amount than instructed per day or apply just three times a week, for the first two weeks.

You can safely use vitamin C serum with other active ingredients in your skincare routine, although products containing niacinamide may make vitamin C less effective.

When to use vitamin C serum

Once you're happy that you can apply vitamin C serum without causing irritation, Mansberg advises using your product every single day in the morning. This is because vitamin C helps protect your skin from pollution, ultraviolet light, and free radicals.

Further reading

1. Searle et al: The top 10 cosmeceuticals for facial hyperpigmentation.