Antioxidants have been a buzz word in health and nutrition over the past several years and rightly so! They have the ability to fight harm-causing free radicals, linked to an increase risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other serious illness. But what you might not know is that they are also a skincare superstar, known for their helpful effects of helping to reverse the visible signs of aging.
Vitamin C, specifically, can neutralize and remove free radicals, protecting against the aging effects of environmental stressors such as pollution, blue light and UV rays.
Environmental pollutants (such as air pollution, intense sun exposure, blue light) can cause atoms in our body to split, resulting in singular, unstable electrons (free radicals). In order to become whole again and stabilize, the newly singular electrons will bounce around, searching for another electron to pair with. This process of losing an electron and searching for a partner electron is called "oxidation" - a harmful "vicious circle" process which damages healthy cells and accelerates the aging process.
HOW VITAMIN C WORKS
Think of cutting up a beautiful, juicy apple. After you peel or cut up the apple it begins to oxidize. Meaning, when exposed to the environment, free radicals are promoting the aging process. The apple turns brown and begins to decay. In front of your mirror, this translates into progressively worsening lines, wrinkles, sun spots (also known as age spots) and tissue laxity.
What do we do to prevent an apple from turning brown? We rub lemon juice on it. Specifically, we rub Vitamin C onto it. Just like Vitamin C preserves the apple, it can help protect your skin. Vitamin C helps prevent and repair the visible appearance of skin damage!
Applying a vitamin C serum topically can essentially keep your skin from turning brown (by preventing and fading brown spots due to its melanin-suppressing properties), as well as increase collagen, make your skin look brighter, fresher and more even-toned and give a more youthful glow.
SOURCES RICH IN VITAMIN C
Since we cannot produce Vitamin C and our bodies don't store, it, we must either ingest it (vitamins and super foods) or apply it topically as part of your regular skin care routine. Popular sources of Vitamin C include:
- Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange and grapefruit
- Leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and spinach
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Rosehip oil
- Seabuckthorn oil
HOW TO USE VITAMIN C IN YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Vitamin C is essential to your skin care routine and one of the best and simplest ways to add it is by using a serum. Vitamin C is typically formulated in a fast-absorbing formula, suitable for all skin types that can be used both morning and night. We recommend applying 3-4 drops of serum to cleansed and toned skin. Use your fingers to spread a thin layer of serum over your face and neck, then wait for it to completely absorb before applying your favourite facial oil and/or moisturizer.
It is important to note that overnight transformations will not occur with any skin care routine. The protective effects of Vitamin C against premature aging will become noticeable with long term use.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A VITAMIN C SERUM
Finding the right Vitamin C serum can be tricky as most are not high enough in Vitamin C to make a significant difference. Pick a serum with:
- L-ascorbic acid (the most potent and effective variety of Vitamin C in skin care).
- A concentration of 10-20%. Below 10% may not be sufficiently potent and above 20% can be too powerful for most skin types.
- Complementary ingredients like Vitamin E and ferulic acid enhance Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties and keep the formula stabilized.
Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum
Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum is an ultra lightweight serum containing 16% Vitamin C and is formulated with Vitamin E and ferulic acid which enhance its antioxidant properties and helps it retain its potency.
Enhance your routine with the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil and Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque. The hydrating qualities of these complementary products add essential moisture and encourage the skin to absorb more Vitamin C over time, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the serum.
Designed as a complementary product to the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum, the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil provides intense hydration, fights visible signs of aging and smooths wrinkles. It is recommended for use with all skin types.
The Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque is a potent, cream-gel masque for all skin types. It is a powerful cocktail of citrus, rhubarb extract, leafy greens and avocado oil that helps reduce the appearance of sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles.
One more note: don’t forget that your skin care routine, especially during spring and summer, must include sun care products to protect you against the harmful effects of UV rays.
For questions about adding Vitamin C to your skin care routine, nourish your radiance and book your free skin consultation with our expert skin nourishers.
Resource: Eminence Organic Skin Care
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