Vitamin C: What It Is and Why We Love It

If there’s one skincare ingredient that can do it all, it’s vitamin C. Not only does it brag about being able to banish dullness, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce sun damage and acne scars, it actually does what it says it’s going to do. No false promises around here. To find out more about the benefits of vitamin C and our favourite vitamin C skincare products we can’t get enough of, keep on scrolling. 

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is first and foremost an antioxidant, which means it helps to prevent free radical damage. It’s not produced by our bodies, so we need to look for outside sources of vitamin C. To feed vitamin C to the skin, it’s recommended to do this topically through skincare products rich in vitamin C as it’s 20 times more effective than orally. 

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin C?

1.Enhances Sun Protection 

Sometimes slathering yourself in sunscreen isn’t enough. For utmost protection against sun damage, you want to ensure you’ve got those free radicals neutralised as well. Free radicals are incomplete atoms missing an electron produced by environmental stressors, most of all UV rays from the sun. They’re extremely unstable and will steal an electron from another atom, causing damage and leading to premature ageing, dullness, and even skin cancer. Vitamin C helps to neutralise free radicals and keep them under control. 

2.Lightens and Prevents Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation 

Vitamin C reduces the oxidation of dark spots and hyperpigmentation preventing them from getting any darker. It also inhibits the effects of tyrosinase, which is an enzyme that’s needed in melanin production. This stops tyrosinase from stimulating the overproduction of melanin, reducing the chance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin overall. 

3.Smooths Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

Looking to smooth out those fine lines and wrinkles and/or prevent them? Consider it a done deal with vitamin C in your skincare routine. Collagen production decreases with age, making the skin more vulnerable to the signs of ageing, but you can naturally encourage collagen synthesis with vitamin C. 

4.Reduces The Appearance of Acne Scars 

By increasing collagen levels in the skin, vitamin C can also reduce the appearance of acne scars. Collagen is a vital protein needed in the healing process, so by stimulating the production of collagen around the wound whilst brightening overly pigmented areas, you can help to speed it up. 

Our Vitamin C Favourites: 

MARY & MAY Niacinamide Vitamin C Brightening Mask (30pcs) – £23.00

This Brightening Mask by MARY & MAY features 1,000ppm vitamin C for the face and 2% niacinamide to restore radiance to even the most lacklustre skin. Vitamin C presses pause on melanin production, lightens acne scars, and prevents the signs of ageing and sun damage, while niacinamide helps to brighten the skin and balance sebum. For additional hydration, hyaluronic acid delivers deep moisture holding 1,000 times its weight in moisture. Tick, tick, and tick!

SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Toner (200ml) – £19.95

If you’ve been snoozing on toner, you’ll want to get involved with SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Toner, trust us. It features 10,000ppm pure vitamin C, niacinamide, and 88% galactomyces. What do galactomyces do, you ask? Reduce the appearance of pore size, tackle acne, and amplify product absorption to reap the full benefits of your skincare routine. 

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum (20g) - £25.00 

Live your very best and brightest life with this ultra-potent, 23% pure vitamin C serum for the face. Aimed at regular vitamin C users with non-sensitive skin, it maximises antioxidant protection, collagen production, and skin brightening. Paired with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, it’ll hydrate the skin and strengthen the skin’s barrier function to improve moisture retention for long-lasting dewiness. 

SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum (30ml) - £19.50

Made with sensitive skin types and newbies in mind, SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum contains a gentle 3% dose of vitamin C for softer fine lines and wrinkles, evening skin tone, and defence against free radical damage, but that’s not where the fun stops. Niacinamide, adenosine, and a unique combo of 10 skin health-boosting vitamins make this an all-rounder vitamin C serum.