Vitamin C
You may know Vitamin C as the stuff in citrus fruits or a good go-to when you feel the onset of a cold but vitamin C is found in many foods and skincare products and is crucial for our body health. Vitamin C, also named L-ascorbic acid, is water-soluble, photosensitive and is the most important antioxidant in the hydrophilic phase. Vitamin C is not naturally synthesised by the human body and therefore adequate dietary intake of vitamin C is required and essential for a healthy human diet.
It’s found in dark green and cruciferous vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. You can also find it in high concentrations in citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, berries and potatoes.
Ascorbic acid is in fact just as good to literally put on your face as it is to eat. It’s actually believed to be 20 times more beneficial for our skin when applied topically to the skin, rather than ingested through diet.
Vitamin C and Skin Health
This vitamin is a normal skin constituent that is found at high two levels of the layers of the skin (both the dermis and epidermis).
Vitamin C is believed to perform several roles in your skin, including:
- Acting as an antioxidant to limit the damage caused by the sun’s rays. It helps protect the skin against damage by free radicals triggered by UV rays.
- Regulating synthesis of collagen, a protein that gives your skin strength and elasticity. Collagen production declines with age and skin damage.
- Reduces body inflammation.
- Maintaining hydration. Some evidence suggests Vitamin C protects against moisture loss, wrinkling and other signs of ageing that are directly related to loss of moisture in the skin.
Various other factors can reduce your skin’s Vitamin C content. Excessive exposure to UV light or pollutants (e.g., cigarette smoke and ozone) may also lower ascorbic acid content. The natural ageing process causes a decline in Vitamin C content in both the epidermis and dermis.
If your goal is to have healthy skin it is crucial to deliver Vitamin C through your diet and skincare products.
Topically ascorbic acid is used in various cosmetic products, for example in lightening of skin depigmentation, anti-ageing and sun protection formulations. The idea of sun protection products is to have a combination product between a “passive” protection with a UV filter and “active” protection with the antioxidant.
Skincare products with Vitamin C
There are many preparations of Vitamin C-based products available on the market. Find the one below recommended by Esse&Co Skin Expert.
Nimue Vitamin C Moisture Mist
Nimue has developed a multi-functional facial spray Nimue Vitamin C Moisture Mist, an excellent Antioxidant and safe UVA protection for every day use giving the skin a radiant and hydrated glow, reducing signs of ageing, with invigorating and refreshing effects. Nimue Vitamin C Face Mist stimulates endorphins, resulting in an uplifted and invigorated feeling.
It is available as a refill too!!!
Kalahari Toning Lotion
Easy to use Kalahari Toning Lotion is infused with allantoin and melon seed extract, which is rich in Vitamin C. This face lotion protects the skin from UV exposure while regenerating and nourishing the skin. It also inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone and enhance skin radiance.
Kalahari Ferulic CEB + Serum
If you want healthy, glowing skin, you should add to your daily skincare routine Vitamin C serum.
This Vitamin C serum is rich in antioxidants which dramatically improves the texture and appearance of your skin. Skin serum compared to other skincare products are highly concentrated so they are able to deliver more effective ingredients into the skin.
