Vitamin-Powered Skincare: If there is one universal truth pertaining to skincare products, it’s that just about everyone can benefit from Vitamin C. In particular, a Vitamin C serum is a great long term staple in any glow-promoting, skin health supporting daily skincare care routine.

So what is it about C that makes it so important? Here are answers to your most important questions, plus our tips for Vitamin C success:

Why do we need Vitamin C for our skin?

If you’ve ever loaded up on Vitamin C in your diet or in supplement form, you likely already know that it’s an essential vitamin for boosting the body’s immune system. Similarly, in skin care, products that contain Vitamin C can work much the same way to keep the skin functioning properly and support critical recovery processes.

A few of the ways in which Vitamin C can improve your skin include protection against UV damage, stimulating healthy collagen synthesis, decreasing healing time from acne breakouts, and an overall more radiant complexion. For both healthy aging, and weathering daily skin stressors, it’s an important ally to include in your complexion care.

What type of Vitamin C works best for skincare?

When shopping for formulas that contain Vitamin C, you’ll see it listed under lots of different names including: Ascorbic Acid, L-Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and others.

In its purest form - ascorbic acid - it can be very potent and effective but also very unstable if not formulated and packaged properly. Therefore, many brands prefer to work with forms like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD), because it is oil-soluble and will be able to maintain its efficacy for long periods of time. This form of Vitamin C is very expensive to formulate with but also tend to cause less reactivity in sensitive skin.

How to Use Vitamin C Serum for Best Results

For getting the most out of your Vitamin C products here are a few key things to know:

Tip #1: Pay attention to supporting ingredients: Vitamin E stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection and Ferulic Acid is an antioxidant that’s unique in its ability to prevent environmental stressors from harming the skin.

Tip #2: Add it in the A.M. every day - Vitamin C works best when used consistently, so you’ll want to be sure and make it an everyday step. The best time to apply Vitamin C is in the morning, which will provide your skin with a boost and a healthy glow that will last throughout the day. You may even want to apply a bit to your neck and hands under SPF for the ultimate protection against sun spots or other damage.

Tip #3: Lastly, if you like to layer products, be mindful that Vitamin C pairs well with some ingredients but not all. You’ll want to avoid using Vitamin C in combination with retinol, or alpha and beta-hydroxy acids, to prevent irritation. However, C does work well alongside hyaluronic acid for promoting moisture retention and a smooth, supple finish.

AM Skincare Routine Sample with a Vitamin C Serum:

• Gently Cleanse – warm water only
• Apply Vitamin C to dry or damp skin
• Let absorb for 30 seconds
• Mist
• Moisturize
• SPF