Skin Saviours: Vitamin C

In the second of our three Skin Saviour blogs, our bespoke skincare clinic will be focusing on Vitamin C and the essential part the multitasking vitamin plays towards our skin health.

Many of us know Vitamin C for its immune system-boosting benefits. Let’s be honest, we all reach for the OJ at the first sign of a cold!

In addition to that, it aids the absorption of other important vitamins such as Vitamin E and iron, and is the ideal pick-me-up when we’re feeling tired and run down.

So, what exactly does Vitamin C do for our skin? Let’s delve a little deeper into the world of topical Vitamin C…

What is Vitamin C?

Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is found naturally in lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals and protects cells.

It isn’t something that our body naturally produces or stores, so it’s important to ensure that we’re getting enough of it in our diets or via a supplement to support and maintain good overall health.

What are the benefits?

As we’ve already stated, Vitamin C offers a variety of benefits, but when we focus on its skin benefits, this vitamin really does reign supreme!

Applied topically, it can be the solution for a number of common concerns such as an uneven skintone, a dull complexion and can even help with early signs of ageing.

By neutralising free radicals, cells are protected, and the skin’s natural regeneration process is supported. Not only that, Vitamin C will help to reduce the damage caused by daily aggressors such as UV and air pollution. Collagen and elastin stimulation is aided, keeping the skin feeling firm and improving fine lines and wrinkles.

If that wasn’t enough, Vitamin C can also reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven pigmentation. Phew! A Skin Saviour indeed…

How do I start using Vitamin C?   

Selecting a new skincare product can be very daunting with so much on the market, especially when it’s a potent product like Vitamin C. It’s so important to be well informed before adding something new into your skincare routine, to ensure it’s suitable for your skin and that it’s introduced in the correct way.

Vitamin C is available in 5-20% concentrations and can cause irritation and sensitivity if too high a dose is used, without guidance. Vitamin C is very reactive and easily loses its antioxidant properties when exposed to heat, light, air, and other chemicals. To prevent it from oxidising and deactivating, Vitamin C products often come in air-tight, opaque packages, but even these once exposed to the light are susceptible to lose there efficacy.

We would advice anyone interested in Vitamin C skincare to seek expert advice from a bespoke skincare clinic, such as ourselves. At the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic in Basingstoke, we offer skincare consultations so that our patients can start their skincare journeys safely and with confidence.

Our Vitamin C superstar is…

ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self Activating

We absolutely love this ZO Skin Health serum as it doesn’t lose its potency due to its delivery method. It provides a potent dose of pure Vitamin C that is stabilised to brighten and re-texturise the skin. Ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C, and tetstabilisedyl ascorbate, an added Vitamin C ester, help to promote a more even skintone.

This water-free formula self-activates upon contact with the skin’s natural water content, maximising the exfoliation and brightening effects, revealing radiant, even-toned skin. Vitamin E and co-enzyme Q-10 antioxidants protect skin from environmental damage, and skin lipid replenishers keep the skin barrier balanced and soften skin texture. This Vitamin C serum also helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Applied each morning, ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C Self Activating is a great addition to the ZO Skin Health programs and a wonderful way to start the day!

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading all about Vitamin C and its benefits to skin. Do look out for our next Skin Saviour guide all about AHAs later this month.

Heard of retinol? Why not take a read of our first Skin Saviours blog to find out more about retinol and why it is one of the most effective skin care ingredients.

The Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic is a specialist, bespoke skincare clinic who can address a multitude of skin concerns and complaints. If you would like to learn more about Vitamin C, or you would like to book a skincare consultation, please contact us.