Does Vitamin C Serum Really Work?

Interest in Vitamin C serums is at an all-time high, but it's hard to know what products you need and what products are hyped up.

This blog explains what a Vitamin C serum is, its possible side effects, and why you should consider integrating it into your skincare routine.

What is a Vitamin C serum?

Let's start with the basics: a Vitamin C serum is high-dose of vitamin C applied directly ('topically') to your skin.

A serum is designed to deliver high concentrations of ingredients to your skin. Serums are clear, gel-based, and thinner than your typical moisturizer.

You apply a serum before moisturizer - think of it as a primer for your skin that helps the "topcoat" (moisturizer) absorb quickly.

As you might have guessed, Vitamin C serum is packed with Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant known for its range of skincare benefits and used to protect your skin from problems like fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, pigmentation, dark circles, and redness.

Vitamin C occurs naturally in your skin and can be found in foods like Citrus fruits like oranges, Kakadu plum, tomatoes, tomato juice, and potatoes.

A 2015 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology reported that applying Vitamin C topically (i.e., onto the skin) saw an increase in participants' collagen production. Participants also saw a noticeable change in their skin's appearance after just 60 days.

How does Vitamin C protect your skin?

In a nutshell, Vitamin C aids your skin's ability to repair damaged cells. It promotes collagen production - the most abundant protein in your body and a scaffolding-like substance that holds your body together and provides strength and structure.

Collagen plays a vital role in strengthening your skin, as well as giving it elasticity and hydration. As you get older, your body produces less collagen, leading to drier skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin C is highly acidic, and when applied topically, your skin is catalyzed into repairing itself by increasing collagen production. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that protects against skin damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron. They're found in pollutants, cigarette smoke, and the sun's rays. When free radicals make contact with your skin, they attempt to "steal" electrons from you, causing damage to your skin cells.

Kept unchecked, free radicals can build up and contribute to conditions like heart disease and cancer. The antioxidants in Vitamin C act as a barrier that "gives" those free radicals an electron, stopping them from stealing yours.

Is Vitamin C serum good for dark spots?

Vitamin C isn't good for dark spots. It's great for them.

Dark spots or hyperpigmentation are common skin conditions that cause your complexion to appear uneven with "dark spots."

This happens because of overactive melanin production. Vitamin C is a well-proven brightening agent. It inhibits melanin production, helping to even skin tone, giving you a brighter and clearer complexion.

Is Vitamin C good for dry skin?

Vitamin C is naturally acidic and removes dead skin cells, and promotes skin cell turnover. This means it removes old skin cells and encourages the generation of new ones.

In short - Vitamin C helps keep your skin looking fuller and fresher for longer.

Is Vitamin C serum good for getting rid of wrinkles?

Vitamin C is well known for encouraging the production of both collagen and elastin.

We covered collagen above; Elastin is responsible for allowing your skin to stretch and flex.

As we age, Collagen and Elastin levels in our body decrease. This causes your skin to sag and wrinkle.

Vitamin C boosts your body's production of both proteins, helping keep your skin looking younger for longer.

Why should you use a Vitamin C serum?

Why use a Vitamin C serum when you can have a glass of OJ in the morning, right?

There's nothing wrong with a glass of OJ but when you ingest Vitamin C, only a small amount makes it to your skin. When you apply it topically using a serum, it absorbs directly into your skin, making it much more effective.

How do I apply Vitamin C serum to my face?

Does Vitamin C serum have side effects?

As with any skincare product, some people with extremely sensitive skin may have minor irritation.

Before you try applying a Vitamin C serum on your face, take a small amount and apply it somewhere you can cover, such as on your arm.

This patch test will show if you are going to react. If, after 24 hours, you have no reaction, you should be fine to use the product on your face.

What makes a good Vitamin C serum?

Not all Vitamin C is created equal. Finding a quality serum isn't as easy as you might think.

Many cheaper (and some expensive!) serums out there use artificial and chemically derived Vitamin C.

Synthetic Vitamin C is better than none at all but has a shorter half-life within your body, only staying effective for about two hours.

Natural Vitamin C lasts longer in the body and is absorbed more slowly; thus, it is available for longer.

When looking for a quality Vitamin C serum, look for something made from natural ingredients and without the harsh chemicals mentioned above.

Summary

When it comes to ground-breaking skincare products, Vitamin C serums are a must-have in any man's skincare routine.

Vitamin C's anti-aging, skin brightening, and antibacterial qualities will keep your skin looking fresh and even.

If you're on the lookout for an incredible, all-natural Vitamin C Serum, check out our Vitamin C Skin Protector Serum. Not only is it natural with 97% naturally derived ingredients, but 80% of them are also certified organic.

Our Men's Vitamin C Serum absorbs easily and quickly and is perfect for use as a high-performing serum or light moisturizer.

Simply apply a few drops of serum to the palm of your hands and then smooth onto the face, neck, and eye area.

Featuring only the highest quality natural Australian ingredients like organic White Tea Leaf Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, and Rosella Flower Extract - Skin Protector dramatically reduces cellular level damage and acts as a calm, non-greasy, daily moisturizer.

And finally - our hero ingredient is Kakadu Plum which contains the world's highest levels of Vitamin C (as much as 100 oranges)!