Discover the benefits of vitamin C serums for your skin and how to choose the right one for you. Learn about active and inactive forms, ingredients to look for, and tips from skincare experts on YouTube.
Vitamin C serums are all the rage in the skincare world, but what exactly are they, and why should you consider adding them to your daily routine? This is why I’m so interested in stepping up my skincare game by adding a better Vitamin C product to my skincare routine.
The first vitamin C product I tried is The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. The product is inexpensive but I don’t really enjoy using it. I find it smells good, but I find it feels gritty.
So instead of rubbing it onto my skin, I will apply a small amount to the palm of my hands, rub my palms together to sort of ‘warm it up’ and then pat it onto my face. Its almost gone now and so I’m on the hunt for a better vitamin C to replace it!
Here is where my research comes into play! I’ve heard lots of influencers rave about the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C serum. According to Dr. Dray on YouTube, its the the best vitamin c serum on the market , but it’s super expensive and way out of my budget.
So I’m on the hunt for something similar but for a lot cheaper!
I’ve watched lots of videos on YouTube from doctors talking about Vitamin C products. If you’re interested in checking out the videos for yourself, I’ve linked the ones I watched below.
Everything I’ve learned About Vitamin C Serum and How to Choose One:
What is Vitamin C Serum and Why Use It?
This powerful antioxidant helps protect your skin from oxidative damage caused by pollution, the sun, and other environmental factors when used in conjunction with SPF.
- Can help with Discoloration: Vitamin C can reduce discoloration/brighten your skin tone.
- Can help with Collagen Production: It can also help stimulate collagen production, promoting firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an umbrella term for two forms: active and inactive vitamin C.
- The Active Form: L-ascorbic acid is the active form that can start working on your skin immediately upon application, however, this form of vitamin c is less stable so often the pH of the product will be lower and more acidic, meaning it can be more irritating on the skin.
- The Inactive Forms: There are many types of inactive vitamin C that need to be converted into the active form within the skin before they can be effective. These inactive forms are listed in Dr. Idriss’s video linked below, and can be identified by the term “ascorb” in the product’s list of ingredients. These inactive forms of vitamin C can be less irritating to the skin so can be better for sensitive skin.
Are All Vitamin C Serums Created Equal?
No, not all vitamin C serums are equal. Vitamin c isn't a stable ingredient so many serums will degrade with exposure to oxygen. If you've ever had a vitamin c serum, most likely you will have noticed the color darken over time or around the lid. Once oxidation happens, the product isn't as effective and its going bad.
What to Look for in a Vitamin C Serum?
When choosing a vitamin C serum, consider the following factors:
- Form: Active or Inactive form. Because l-ascorbic acid isn’t stable, Many companies will formulated products with inactive vitamin c to increase the stability of the product, giving it a longer shelf life. These products can also be less irritating. Opt for the active form, L-ascorbic acid if your skin can tolerate it. If your skin is more sensitive, then opt for an inactive form or lower percentage content of the active form.
- Percentage: Look for a concentration of anywhere between 5 to 20% L-ascorbic acid to be effective. The recommended amounts differed between the three videos I watched.
- pH: Choose a product with a pH of 3.5 to help stabilize the product and help it penetrate the skin (keep in mind that a low pH can make the serum sting or feel irritating on the skin)
- Other Added Ingredients: Ingredients like Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid can enhance the stability and effectiveness of the serum.
- Packaging: Select products with packaging that limits exposure to air and sunlight to prevent oxidation. For example, a pump is preferred over an eye dropper and an opaque container is preferred over a clear container.
- Price & Amount In Package: Keep in mind your budget and how much product you get for the price!
How to Use Vitamin C Serum?
In Dr. Dray's video linked below, she recommends incorporating vitamin C into your morning routine, so that is what I plan on doing. She recommended the following skincare steps:
- Cleanse: Use an acid-based cleanser to lower the pH of your skin, enhancing vitamin C penetration.
- Serum: Gently apply the vitamin C serum to your face and neck.
- Sunscreen: After it has absorbed, follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin!
Products with Active Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid):
Because I’m most interested in products with l-ascorbic acid, the following products are what I’m considering purchasing.
- Timeless Skincare 10% Vitamin C Plus E and Ferulic Acid Serum
- Timeless Skincare 20% Vitamin C Plus E and Ferulic Acid Serum (This is what I’m going to purchase!)
- CeraVe 10% Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid Skin Brightening Serum
- La Roche-Posay 10% Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid
- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
Products with Inactive Vitamin C:
If you’re interested in products with the in-active form of Vitamin C, then Dr. Shereene Idriss’s and The Budget Dermatologist’s video links below make suggestions on them.
I highly recommend you check out the following YouTube channels referenced below from skincare experts like Dr. Dray, Dr. Shereene Idriss, and The Budget Dermatologist. I’m learning so much from them and you can too!
Incorporating vitamin C serums into your daily skincare routine can provide numerous benefits for your skin, from reducing discoloration and brightening the skin, boosting collagen production, and increasing the effectiveness of sunscreen. With the right product and application techniques, you can achieve a brighter, more radiant complexion.
References:
- Dr Dray, Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C serum vs Skinceuticals CE ferulic
- Dr. Shereene Idriss, Best Vitamin C Forms & Products for Every Skin Type!
- The Budget Dermatologist, Shop with me for the BEST Vitamin C Serums!!