Your Basic Guide to: Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin c is a very vital vitamin that your body and skin needs for growth, development and repair. Vitamin C is naturally present in your body that boosts collagen production. Although foods like oranges and carrots provide for some part of the nutrients required by the body it is not quite enough. Your skin requires Vitamin C to fight off free radicals, UV rays and premature aging, but because the epidermis (the outer most layer of the skin) does not have blood vessels to bring in nutrients for the skin to absorb and provide the vital vitamin, skincare serums and products are the pavement to alternate.
Your skin absorbs whatever you apply to it through the different layers, from the epidermis to dermis allowing nutrients from vitamin c serum to provide collagen for skin turnover, repairing damaged skin barrier, Anti-oxidants for protection from free radicals, UVA/UVB, sun damage and premature aging. Vitamin C is one of the multi-benefiting actives between all skincare actives, becoming suitable for all types of skin. Not only does Vitamin C takes preventative benefits, it also helps the skin to correct Hyperpigmentation, Melasma, Scarring and Sun damage.
In the skincare world, you may find yourself amongst many different forms of Vitamin C serums, each catering to different efficacy to different types of skin. The most common and strongest form of Vitamin C is known as;
L-Ascorbic Acid: The highest and most effective form known to all. Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant and has shown results of reversed aging due to its high efficacy. Because Ascorbic acid is the purest and most potent form, it can be harsher for sensitive skin and may cause redness and may cause extreme signs of purging and sensitivity to light, as Ph levels is lower than alternative forms of Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid acidity level can cause oxidizing faster when exposed to air.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: This is my personal favorite form of Vitamin C that is great for women of color, and is great for PIH ( Post Inflammation Hyperpigmentation). In general, because this is less potent than other forms of vitamin C, it’s generally safe for all skin types, though some people may experience mild irritation. Like Ascorbic acid this is rich in anti-oxidants along with anti-bacterial properties. However, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate aka SAP is more stable, light and less intense. When paired with Ferulic acid provides more efficient results. SAP is also great for acne scars, hyperpigmentation, reversing sun damage and adding protection from UV/Free Radicals.
