No matter your age, skin type or skin concerns, vitamin C should be a non-negotiable part of your morning regimen, in my opinion. It protects against environmental stressors, such as pollution and UV damage, which cause oxidative stress that leads to signs of aging on your skin. In addition to repelling aggressors, it also helps to revive dullness, acts as an anti-inflammatory and evenens the appearance of dark spots.
“It is an antioxidant and a superstar ingredient in skin care,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a certified dermatologist based in Connecticut. “I love telling my patients to use it because it eliminates free radicals, resulting in a brighter, better-functioning skin.”
When looking for a product that you can be sure will do its job properly, derms suggest looking for products that combine vitamin C with a supplementary ingredient. The main competitors include vitamin E or ferulic acid, which will help to increase its effectiveness and stabilize the molecules. Since vitamin C is sensitive to the sun (it can oxidize and become less effective with exposure), you should also opt for something in an opaque bottle that will not let light in.
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As someone who has considered vitamin C as a basic skin care product for the past fifteen years, I tested hundreds of different serums on the market – I can attest that these are the best of the best. Oh, and they all fit Dr. Gohara’s recommendations.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic acid – $ 166.00
This medical grade product is * vitamin C serum, and the dermis does not go a day without recommending it to their patients. It has an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin C, which means that it is packed with all the usual antioxidants you would expect from a powerful ingredient and offers shine, skin tone and general anti-aging effects. In addition, the addition of vitamin E not only helps to make vitamin C work more, but it is also ultra nutritious and helps to fight inflammation.
Drunken elephant C-Firma ™ Vitamin C for the day – $ 80.00
“This serum provides an antioxidant trifecta for the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a certified dermatologist based in New York City. The combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid work together to maintain stability, in addition to increasing the effectiveness of the ingredients ”. The three ingredients combined also help to nourish and protect your skin throughout the day.
The common suspension of vitamin C 30% in silicone – $ 7.00
For less than $ 10 a pop, there is a good reason why this vitamin C serum came off the shelves recently. “It contains 30 percent L-ascorbic acid, which is among the highest concentrations of vitamin C on the market,” says Dr. Zeichner. It does not contain water, so it goes on smoothly, almost like a primer, and is great to use every morning as an environmental protector. It will also target uneven skin tone, dullness and textural irregularities.
Ghost Democracy Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum – $ 34.00
If you want an economical hybrid serum that contains vitamins C and E, this potent product is a great choice. It is easily absorbed by the skin and contains a small amount of bakuchiol to help stimulate cell renewal, resulting in a lighter (and even) complexion in general.
Hyper Skin Hyper Clear Brightening Bleaching Serum Vitamin C – $ 36.00
Designed for darker skin tones, this serum combines vitamin C with kojic acid and fruit enzymes to help dramatically alleviate dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It also has the nutritional and moisturizing properties of vitamin E. Not to mention that it will make your skin tone more even and look like you are lit from the inside.
To learn more about vitamin C (and why you really need it in your routine), check out the video below.
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