04 May The power of vitamin C in skincare, and why you need it

If there’s one skincare ingredient I’d never be without, it’s vitamin C. It’s one of the few actives with decades of solid research behind it, and it works for almost everyone. Yet it’s also one of the most misused, tucked in the wrong place in a routine, or stored until it’s long past its best. So let me explain what vitamin C actually does, and how to get the most from it.

Why your skin needs it

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It helps your skin fight the free radicals that come from pollution and daylight, and it stimulates collagen, which keeps skin firm. Your body can’t make it on its own, so it has to come from what you eat and what you apply. Because it has a short active life on the skin, it works best used every day.

What it does for your skin

• Calms inflammation, helping with redness and breakouts
• Supports collagen for firmer, plumper skin
• Fades pigmentation by reducing excess melanin
• Strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier
• Protects vitamin E and helps your skin get the most from it

How to use it well

Apply vitamin C in the morning, before your SPF, so it can shield your skin from the day ahead. Choose a stabilised formula with ascorbic acid or a good derivative, and look for one paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which make it work harder. Keep it somewhere dark and cool so it doesn’t oxidise, and be consistent, this is an ingredient that rewards a daily habit.

Who it’s for

Almost everyone, but it’s especially worth it if you’re dealing with fine lines, uneven tone, dullness, redness, or acne-prone skin.

If you’d like help choosing the right vitamin C for your skin, book a skin consultation or book online, and we’ll point you to a formula that suits you.