Most people talk about how they begin their day with a cup of coffee, often times followed by a workout. I begin everyday with an essential vitamin that my skin needs before leaving my home: Vitamin C. Why is this necessary everyday? Acting as an antioxidant for our skin, there are three main benefits of Vitamin C for your skin. Its roles are to protect your skin from free radicals, brighten your skin, and accelerate collagen production. I don’t leave my bathroom in the morning without cleansing my face and applying a Vitamin C. It’s non-negotiable…and if you know me at all, I’m quite persistent 
Protect your Skin from Free Radical Damage
Free radicals are any environmental aggressors that can cause damage to your skin, ie: UV rays, smoke, pollution, etc. They harm the dermis of your skin, the moisture barrier, the texture, and most commonly, the color of your skin. They can often times cause cancers of the skin as well. Therefore, receiving protection from the sun and other aggressors is vital when starting your day. Why should we invest so much time (and money) into our skin if we aren’t going to properly protect it everyday? Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps block free radicals from penetrating into your skin and thus causing damage. Ultimately, our goal is to have bright, firm, plump skin. Vitamin C is needed in order to provide the skin with the protection needed to reach those desired results.
Brighten your Skin
Vitamin C is essential for preventing and treating pigmentation, because it actually inhibits your skin’s melanin production. Think sun spots, age spots, and melasma. Vitamin C protects your skin from sun damage and is a great contributor for helping with inflammation and redness (think rosacea and eczema). The antixodant properties help even out skintone and redness. Wtih frequent use of vitamin C, you will prevent dark spots from forming and signifcantly fade any exisiting pigment.
Accelerate Collagen Production
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient needed for skin cell turnover and collagen production. Applying daily topical vitamin C will help accelerate the production of both collagen and elastin, which therefore leads to more plump, firm skin over time. As it protects our skin from free radical damage, it thereby helps prevent any collagen breakdown.
How and When to Apply Vitamin C
After you have cleansed and toned your skin, you may apply Vitamin C to your skin, from your forehead down to your neck. Depending on the serum, or crème, you may gently press and hold the product into your skin to ensure it has penetrated in. Vitamin C can be used both morning and night. It is strongly recommended for AM use to protect your skin from any environmental aggressors during the day. However, don’t forget the amount of blue light from our tech devices we consume at night, so applying at night can be beneficial as well. You may follow or lead with other serums and finish your routine with a moisturizer and sunscreen (AM only). ALWAYS finish with sun protection in the morning.
My Curated Picks of Vitamin C Serums
I have loved so many different variations of vitamin C serums over the years, but a few of my all time favorites are Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Serum, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, Colleen Rothschild Vitamin C Treatment Complex, Beauty Bio The Daily, and Environ Mela Even Cream.
Side note: Vitamin C is expensive to bottle in an active form, so this is an ingredient you will likely invest more money in. Many brands have regulations to ensure the ingredients stay active. Make sure this bottle is not exposed to heat, or you may risk losing the effective antioxidant actives.
I hope reading about the three benefits of vitamin C for your skin will be helpful in creating your daily regimen. Wishing you a bright week ahead…see what I did there
xxx
Lindsay
