Ingredient Feature: Vitamin C

Although you are getting Vitamin C in your diet and possibly even through oral supplements, there are some great reasons to add it to your skincare regimen! Vitamin C is a water soluble nutrient that is usable by most of the cells in your body as an antioxidant and your skin cells are likely the last place to receive the nutrient! Here's what it can do for you topically:

1. Increases Collagen Production: The production of collagen in the live skin called the dermis slows down with age and environmental factors like exposure to sun and pollutants. This results in fine lines, wrinkles and a loss of plumpness. Vitamin C stimulates the cells that produce the collagen which will thicken the live skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Minimizes Redness: Vitamin C is known to repair and strengthen the fine capillaries right under the surface of your skin. When you have overall redness or you can actually see the little squiggly blood vessels through your skin, it is because the walls of those capillaries are thin or dilated. Regular use of Vitamin C will build those capillary walls up as well as the tissue that surrounds them which will reduce the visibility of redness on the surface.

3. Reduces Dark Spots: Dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, on the skin are caused by cells called melanocytes that sense a need for more protection. When stimulated, they go into hyperdrive and produce extra pigment to protect all of the cells surrounding them. This reaction can be caused by a wound like a breakout, an temporary change in hormone production like during pregnancy, or just from over-exposure to the sun. Vitamin C interferes with the chemical process in the skin that creates that extra pigment and the dark spots will gradually fade.

4. Prevents More Damage: All of the above skin concerns are caused by free radicals! They are little molecules that are missing an electron so they steal from other molecules in your cells causing damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize this chain reaction by providing extra electrons. This prevents future damage in your skin that can lead to loss of collagen, uneven skin color, sagging and even skin cancer!

Some general tips for using Vitamin C topically:

- It will not be listed as Vitamin C on the ingredient label! Here are some common names for Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid (L-Ascorbic Acid), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP). When in doubt, ask your esthetician.

- Consistency is key! Vitamin C should be applied daily. Some people will see result in as little as 2 weeks, but typically it takes about 6 weeks to see visible changes in the skin, especially with conditions that are deeper in the skin like redness, pigment and loss of collagen.

- Not all products are created equally! Make sure you invest in products that value purity and potency. If you get overwhelmed with the options, reach out to an esthetician. They have in-depth knowledge of cosmetic ingredients and only recommend products that they trust!