If there’s a skincare ingredient that experts and dermatologists everywhere can agree on, it’s vitamin C for its many benefits.

Vitamin C is known for more than just giving skin a glowing radiance; it’s a must-have in every anti-ageing routine, whether you’re in your 20s or later years.

Below, we walk you through the benefits of vitamin C in skincare, the types to know and what to look out for in products.

Vitamin C benefits in anti-ageing skincare

It’s a powerful antioxidant

Our skin is constantly exposed to triggers like pollution, dirt, smoke and UV rays. Over time, these triggers cause the skin to sag and age faster. That’s why antioxidants like vitamin C in skincare (and in our dietary intake) play a huge role in slowing down the ageing process and protecting the skin.

It brightens the complexion

Pigmentation can be caused by a number of things: past acne breakouts, frequent sun exposure, and melasma. These patches on the skin tend to be dark and cause an overall uneven skin tone. Vitamin C has shown that it’s able to brighten the skin and fade dark spots without affecting normal skin tone. The result: an overall even, glowing complexion.

It stimulates collagen

Every anti-ageing skincare warrior knows how vital collagen is in keeping the skin firm and smooth. As we get older, collagen production slows down. However, vitamin C is able to spur on collagen production to smoothen out fine lines and tighten sagging skin.

It minimises the appearance of pores and wrinkles

With a combination of the right vitamin C formula and weekly exfoliation, your pores will be clean and appear smaller. As the skin gets more plump, wrinkles also smoothen out.

What to look for in vitamin C skincare products

Opaque bottles or tubes only

Vitamin C should be packaged in opaque bottles or tubes to preserve its integrity. Exposure to light and heat will oxidise the ingredient and make it less effective.

High or low vitamin C concentration?

That depends on your level of skin sensitivity. 

The Ren Glow Daily Vitamin C is perfect for sensitive skin that’s new to using vitamin C. [Image: Ren]

The Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C protects against environmental triggers for a more youthful complexion. [Image: Omorovicza]

A potent dose of vitamin C, this serum smoothes and firms the skin over time. [Image: Dr. Brandt]

For a higher concentration, the Dr. Brandt Power Dose Vitamin C features 20% of pure vitamin C — the highest level of stabilised vitamin C that our skin is able to absorb. It protects against environmental pollution, boosts collagen to reduce lines and reveals an overall firmer, brighter complexion.

Dr. Sebagh’s Vitamin C comes in a stabilised powder form that can be mixed with moisturiser. [Image: Dr. Sebagh]

Using Vitamin C products

Storage

Always store vitamin C products in a cool place away from sunlight. Frequent exposure to light and heat will wear down its efficacy.

Sun protection

Whether you use vitamin C or not, sun protection should be a daily staple in your routine. But did you know that vitamin C actually enhances your sunscreen’s performance? It neutralises free radicals in UV rays to protect the skin from sun damage.

Does it play well with other ingredients?

Vitamin C works especially well with vitamin E; when used together, these two antioxidants form a protective barrier against sun damage.

You may have heard about the ongoing debate: should vitamin C and niacinamide be used together?

Many notable beauty websites and dermatologists say it’s fine to use both ingredients together, but if you’re still concerned about redness or irritation, alternate your usage of niacinamide and vitamin C products.

Now that you know all about vitamin C’s essential role in anti-ageing, will you be including it in your routine? Come by to KENSapothecary stores to find the right vitamin C skincare product for your skin type.