Everything You Need to Know About Adding Vitamin C To Your Skincare

Vitamin C is a super ingredient packed with benefits! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about adding it to your skincare routine.

Vitamin C has been the talk of the town for quite some time, especially with April 4th being National Vitamin C Day. What you may not aware of is how much of a powerhouse Vitamin C really is, especially for your skin.

There’s a reason why the ingredient is in so many of our products and plays a major role in our Skin Type 6 and Skin Type 1 Skincare Collections (not sure of your skin type, take our Skin ID Quiz).

So whether you are vitamin C obsessed like us or toying with the idea of adding it to your routine, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about this legendary ingredient.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs for health tissue growth and repair for the entire body (that means our skin too). Our body is unable to produce vitamin C on its own which means we have to get it from an outside source like our food and skincare products. This powerful antioxidant is key for your body to neutralize free radicals which are responsible for causing a decrease in our skin's collagen, and skin blemishes like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and loose skin.

What are the many benefits of Vitamin C?

Vitamin C has an impressive resume:

When applied topically it uses its acidic nature to trigger your skin to heal itself by promoting collagen production and increasing elasticity. This keeps your skin firm and plump and reduces the signs of aging. It works well treating areas that are prone to showing aging especially for the areas that can get overlooked like your neck and chest.
It is a brightening agent that works hard to fade brown spots without changing your regular skin pigmentation. It also can inhibit melanin production which can stop future skin discoloration.
It fights against environmental stressors like pollutants, UV light, and free radicals because of its antioxidant capabilities. This helps protect your skin and its youthful appearance.

What are the side effects of Vitamin C?

Nothing in life is perfect, but vitamin C comes pretty close. One of the issues vitamin C may cause is skin irritation, especially from its acidic nature. It is important, like with all products, to pick the right type of vitamin C product for your skin type and discontinue and speak to a professional if you experience any burning, irritation, or redness.

Vitamin C can cause more irritation for those with sensitive skin. We recommend that anyone starting out with vitamin C start slowly adding it to your routine like you would with a retinoid and work yourself towards a full dosage once a day. This will decrease the chance of skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.

How can you add Vitamin C to your skincare routine?

You can use vitamin C morning or night, but we suggest adding it to your morning routine since it is able to protect your skin from environmental stressors throughout the day. It’s also a product that is beneficial to use throughout every season because of its many masterful properties.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you are also using a product with vitamin C that fits your skin type.

If you have oily skin, you’ll want to use a product that won’t over dry or over moisturize your skin. Our personal favorite is our Clear Skin Clarifying Creme.

If you have dry skin, you’ll want a product that delivers moisture with your vitamin C. Our jam-packed Revitalize 7-in-1 Power Serum, Power Bright Mega-C Creme, and Recharge Vita-C & Peptide Toning Mist, are other great ways to add vitamin C into your routine.

Don't know your skin type? Discover it here!

Things to Keep In Mind

Vitamin C can be a little high maintenance (but really everything worthwhile is 😉). Because of its properties, products with vitamin C can oxidize when exposed to too much light, heat, or air. You can tell vitamin C has oxidized when it is no longer a clear or pale yellow/orange color and instead has turned to a dark yellow/orange color. If your vitamin C has oxidized, it is still safe to use, but won’t be as effective.

Although vitamin C is pretty much a miracle ingredient, it does not help treat acne. It can however treat the side effects of acne like the hyperpigmentation and redness.

Lastly, you want to make sure you are using sunscreen with your vitamin C to optimize protection. Think of your sunscreen as your main line of defense and your vitamin C as your second layer of defense from environmental stressors like UV rays. Need a sunscreen that will pair well with your vitamin C product? Try our Complete Defense SPF 40.