One of the most well-known and misunderstood skincare compounds is vitamin C. Vitamin C is indeed an important component for healthy skin since it aids in the creation of the skin barrier and collagen in the dermis, as well as the capacity to combat skin oxidation and the modulation of cellular signaling pathways for cell growth and differentiation (Wang et al., 2018). Vitamin C deficiency, on the other hand, can induce or worsen the beginning and progression of some skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis (Wang et al., 2018). The unproportionable injections and overuse of skincare serums of vitamin C also can lead not to the improvement of the skin but to the skin damages and discrepancies in the daily skincare routine
Many misconceptions concerning vitamin C have been promoted. Vitamin C comes in various topical forms, but the serum is one of the most common. However, because it is a volatile acid, it is fraught with controversy, despite the fact that it is widely utilized by many semi-professional skincare practitioners (Enescu et al., 2021). Applying topical vitamin C to the skin has been proven in certain studies to help decrease hyperpigmentation, brighten the region, protect it from environmental aggressors, and stimulate collagen synthesis (Wang et al., 2018). As a result, products incorporating this chemical are growing in the skincare market. Many vitamin C products are on the market, including serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and more. It is an antioxidant that helps prevent aging, reduces inflammation, and even promotes collagen creation in the skin (Enescu et al., 2021). However, it might be a challenging substance to integrate into the body appropriately. It may, for example, not mix well with the rest of the skincare products and feel sticky or irritating on the skin.
One of the most widespread myths regarding vitamin C serums is that the higher the vitamin C content, the more effective it is. This is not the case, and it can even be harmful to the skin. Vitamin C’s efficacy is determined by its pH and formulation (Enescu et al., 2021). It is okay to use percentages between ten and twenty; however, it is preferable to inject vitamin C into the skin at a lower proportion (Wang et al., 2018). It also oxidizes fast, making it useless, so, for example, a year-old 20 percent serum may not be effective at all. What matters most is absorption, since a lower concentration of a derivative that is known to be more absorbed may generate more obvious benefits than a recipe with a greater proportion but less penetration into the skin (Enescu et al., 2021). Too much vitamin C can cause skin irritation and damage, so more is not always better.
Another misconception is that vitamin C is not really good for delicate skin. However, Vitamin C may be utilized on all skin types; all is needed to do is to locate the proper type. A less acidic formula can be used by persons with sensitive skin (Wang et al., 2018). Most other derivatives are more stable at lower pH values than L-ascorbic acid (Enescu et al., 2021). As a result, while it is one of the most effective forms of vitamin C, it also has the highest number of skin responses (Enescu et al., 2021). If a consumer has sensitive skin, irritation can indeed be encountered. However, this is mostly dependent on the formula used, as was mentioned previously. Moreover, how a person adopts it into their everyday routine is crucial. As with any other skincare serum, it is better to gradually introduce new substances into the diet and try to rule out any sensitivity issues if occurred.
References
Enescu, C. D., Bedford, L. M., Potts, G., & Fahs, F. (2021). A review of topical vitamin C derivatives and their efficacy. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Wang, K., Jiang, H., Li, W., Qiang, M., Dong, T., & Li, H. (2018). Role of vitamin C in skin diseases. Frontiers in Physiology, 819.