Do you start your day with a dose of C?
As skincare ingredients go, few are as effective, as multifaceted, or frankly as magical as Vitamin C. Curious as to what makes it such a must-have for your daily skincare routine? Keep reading for everything you need to know about one of our favorite super ingredients.
What is Vitamin C and where does it come from?
By now, most of us are aware that Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in our diet for supporting immune response and overall health. Because it is found abundantly in many fruits and vegetables - including oranges, pineapples, mangoes, berries, and leafy greens - most people are able to get enough Vitamin C internally just by eating a balanced diet.
But did you know that Vitamin C is as equally valuable externally as it is internally? In fact, it’s essential for treating the skin topically. Here are some of the top benefits:
Benefit #1: Vitamin C has super antioxidant properties
Perhaps the most fundamental of Vitamin C’s many benefits is that it is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are essential because they fight free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that wreak havoc on the skin by stealing electrons from healthy cells and causing a number of common skin concerns - including oxidative stress, hardening of collagen and elastin, increasing skin sensitivity, irritation, age spots, and dryness. The good news is that by consistently including Vitamin C in your skincare you’ll be helping to ward off free radical activity and potentially prevent these outcomes.
Benefit #2: Vitamin C promotes collagen production
We all need collagen for keeping our skin supple and reducing the appearance of fine lines. However, as a result of our body’s natural aging processes, collagen production in the skin declines over time. By stimulating the skin’s fibroblast activity and cell metabolism, Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for keeping collagen synthesis on track and slowing down the aging process.
Benefit #3: Vitamin C is naturally brightening and glow-inducing
If you struggle with dull skin, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C is also an amazing antidote for discoloration. In addition to protecting the skin from damage as a result of sun exposure, it can also boost the skin’s immunity following a breakout, thereby reducing redness and uneven skin tone left behind by acne breakouts.
Benefit #4: Vitamin C protects the skin against environmental stressors
On a daily basis, the skin is susceptible to free radical damage as a result of pollution, UV, blue light, and other related stressors. Luckily, because Vitamin C is such an effective free radical scavenger, studies suggest that it can help to prevent mitochondrial DNA damage and safeguard the skin against permanent injury and even certain cancers.
Benefit #5: Vitamin C supports cellular regeneration
In addition to all of the benefits discussed, another aspect that makes Vitamin C so incredible as a skincare ingredient is its ability to aid in overall optimal function in the skin. Whether you are looking to combat acne, reduce dark circles, prevent premature aging, or promote better moisture retention, Vitamin C can be a powerful ally because it promotes repair, rejuvenation, and healthy cellular turnover.
Blue Haven Holistic’s Product Picks: Vitamin C Cleansing Grains, Ambrosia Antioxidant Face Oil and Bakuchiol Regenerative Balm
For an easy way to provide your skin with a bit of C daily, choose our Vitamin C Cleansing Grains for an exfoliating cleanse, our Ambrosia Antioxidant Face Oil, Essential C Radiance Nectar or Bakuchiol Regenerative Balm for a special moisturizing treat.
Containing a blend of antioxidant-packed fruits, organic silken coconut milk, rich clays, and other skin-soothing ingredients, the water-activated cleansing grains can be used to cleanse away surface buildup, gently polish the skin and detox for a glowing finish.
The core of the high-performance Bakuchiol Regenerative Balm concentrate is a blend of nature's most highly revered ingredients, including, bakuchiol (the natural plant derived alternative to retinol), tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (stable form of vitamin C), lupine seed extract, coenzyme Q10, Nordic cloudberry oil, green bean coffee oil and powerful active botanicals to combat the appearance of aging skin, provide barrier protection and restore vitality to depleted skin.
References:
- Why You Should Be Using a Vitamin C Serum by Columbia Skin Clinic https://columbiaskinclinic.com/ask-a-dermatologist/why-you-should-be-using-a-vitamin-c-serum/
- The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment by Aleksandar Godic, Borut Poljšak, Metka Adamic, and Raja Dahmane https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3984781/
- Vitamin C Benefits for Skin: Powerful Antioxidant for Brightening and Smoothing Skin By Lindsay Curtis, Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-c-for-skin-5084225
