While it is known that vitamins contain many health benefits, certain vitamins can provide more harm than good, depending on the circumstances. Vitamin C is one that is known to be a super ingredient when it comes to skin health. But when incorporating such ingredients into your skincare, it is important to do research to ensure that it is being used to its maximum potential.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is not naturally produced by the body, but contains many beneficial properties. Along with supporting immune health, it is additionally used for growth and repair of body tissues, production of collagen, and absorption and storage of iron. Vitamin C is also necessary for healing wounds and repairing and maintaining the bones and teeth.
Forms of Vitamin C
Since the body cannot naturally produce vitamin C, it must be obtained through other sources. The most common and convenient way to do so is through foods such as citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries, and broccoli. Supplements also come in the form of pills, gummies, or drink powders. However, it is important to note that no more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C should be consumed within a day to ensure that digestion issues including an upset stomach, diarrhea, and kidney stone do not occur.
Benefits of Vitamin C in Skincare
Many people use vitamin C due to the multitude of benefits that it provides. Its most sought out benefit is its anti-aging properties, which can work to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, it is not necessary to start building an anti-aging routine with vitamin C on youthful skin as these harsh ingredients can excessively disrupt the skin barrier. But vitamin C can also be useful in improving acne and dark spots through its anti-inflammatory properties.
Be Cautious with Vitamin C!
Although vitamin C overall serves many great benefits, it can be risky to implement into a routine. Like any new ingredient added to the regiment, there is the risk of irritation, dryness, and inflammation. And because vitamin C is found to be a very harsh substance, it is not ideal for those with sensitive skin or those who are allergic to the ingredient. Symptoms of these allergies include but are not limited to redness, mild to severe burning, and stinging.
There are also certain ingredients that are not ideal to use in combination with vitamin C, including AHAs, BHAs, retinols, niacinamide, and benzoyl peroxide. It would be too harsh on the skin to use products with these ingredients simultaneously, with common side effects such as flaking and irritation.
Overall, vitamin C proves to be a beneficial ingredient to implement into a skincare routine, but must be done with caution to avoid unwanted side effects. Just like with all skincare, it is important to find products and ingredients that work for your particular skin. Just because a product is deemed extraordinary to the public eye does not mean that it will be optimal for you and your conditions.
References:
1. Mayo Clinic. Vitamin C. Mayo Clinic. Published November 17, 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932
2. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Information | Mount Sinai - New York. Mount Sinai Health System. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid#:~:text=You%20need%20vitamin%20C%20for
3. NHS. Vitamin C - Vitamins and minerals. NHS. Published August 3, 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-c/
4. MD N, Patel P. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? - Harvard Health. Harvard Health. Published November 10, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-topical-vitamin-c-important-for-skin-health-202111102635
5. https://www.burtsbees.com/blog/post/vitamincinyourskincareroutine/. www.burtsbees.com. Accessed January 24, 2024. https://www.burtsbees.com/blog/post/vitamincinyourskincareroutine/
Author: Selena Chan
