We’ve been hearing about the various benefits of Vitamin C. Young children are offered these delicious citrus fruits called oranges to boost their immunity and growth from childhood. The good thing is that using a vitamin C serum for the face can help you have the same benefits!
That’s how popular Vitamin C is and how powerful an immune booster can be. It is a naturally-occurring antioxidant that could reverse the damage caused by the free radicals. This vitamin also helps strengthen metabolism and improve other biological processes, but it is also an excellent remedy for many skincare issues.
Vitamin C strengthens our immunity
We also remember when COVID-19 hit us – during that time, the sales of oranges had skyrocketed worldwide. But eating them may not help us get all these benefits. This is because orally consumed Vitamin C doesn’t get to all the skin cells since the epidermis doesn’t have blood vessels to accomplish this task.
On the other hand, topically applying Vitamin C helps the skin absorb the nutrient much better. While you can get Vitamin C through various skin care products, a serum is the most effective way to deliver the benefits to your skin cells.
A safe and gentle Vitamin C serum for the face has a consistency between a gel and a liquid, and a small amount is generally sufficient to get the benefits. However, its regular application can help you provide adequate nutrition to the skin cells and help them keep away the effects of pollution, aging, and medications.
But finding the best quality Vitamin C Serum for face can be a challenge – there are so many out there! So, let’s help you choose the best vitamin C serum for the face, starting with some important pointers.
Six factors that experts use to shortlist a face serum
1. Form
Although we call it a Vitamin C serum for face, these serums have more specific names depending upon the form of the vitamin in it. Vitamin C can appear as L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
Ascorbyl 6-palmitate, ascorbic acid sulfate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are the most stable. L-ascorbic acid (or ascorbic acid) is considered the most effective. Whichever form of Vitamin C you choose, make sure it is at the top of the ingredient list. It is unlikely to be effective if it is not among the first two ingredients.
L-ascorbic acid is a good choice for a Vitamin C serum if you have normal or oily skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a milder, better option.
2. Concentration
Vitamin C serum for your face is available in many concentrations, from less than 1% to over 20%. Experts opine that the higher the concentration, the better the efficacy of the serum.
Choosing a concentration of at least 8% or higher is recommended but going beyond 20% doesn’t have any extra benefits.
The best ratio corresponds to between 10% and 20%. Therefore, those using a vitamin C serum for face for the first time are advised to start with a 10% concentration and then move on to higher concentrations.
3. Constituents
While buying the best Vitamin C serum for face, you’ll find a combination of ingredients and the form and concentration of Vitamin C. The most commonly seen ingredients and Vitamin C are Vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glutathione.
Vitamin E or tocopherol is one of the most popular ingredients seen with Vitamin C, and it both stabilizes and helps increase its absorption. Ferulic acid also improves the stability of Vitamin C while improving its photoprotective effects. Glutathione is an antioxidant that enhances Vitamin C’s efforts to remove pigmentation.
4. Packaging
For most skincare products, the packaging is more about marketing and being attractive to the consumer, but it’s different for Vitamin C. When it comes to opting for a vitamin C serum for face, the packaging is an integral component of extending the product’s efficacy and shelf life.
Vitamin C, especially in its L-ascorbic acid form, is sensitive to light, air, and heat, all of which can cause the serum to degrade and become unstable. Anhydrous type serums are more stable, but it is still safer for Vitamin C serums in dark glass bottles. The bottles also need to be airtight to preserve the efficacy of the Vitamin C.
5. pH
When choosing the right Vitamin C serum for face, you should also consider the pH level of the product. Opt for a serum with a low pH, around 3.5, to ensure adequate absorption for normal skin.
Those with dry skin may prefer the Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate form of Vitamin C, which is more effective against hyperpigmentation.
For sensitive skin, it’s better to go for a serum with a pH close to the skin’s natural pH, like 5 or 6. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a good example of a Vitamin C serum for sensitive skin, and it also works well against acne.
6. Free from harmful chemicals and toxins
Besides all these, it’s important to make sure your Vitamin C serum for face is not packed with toxic chemicals that may be harmful to you in the long term. A serum that contains pure ingredients that are dermatologically tested is the perfect serum for you. A good example of such a product is the Mamaearth Vitamin C Face Serum.
The Mamaearth Vitamin C Serum for the face is composed of a 10% concentration of Vitamin C, making it great for beginners. Vitamin C is accompanied by Gotu Kala, which provides intense hydration and boosts collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The serum also contains niacinamide that fights inflammation and enhances the skin tone, making it brighter and clearer. All this comes with a MadeSafe certification that ensures that the serum is free from toxic chemicals and harsh additives. The skin serum works best for both men and women above 15 years.
The Vitamin C serum can be used either during the day or the night, and it is best to start by applying it once a week and then taking it up later.
Pair it up with a safe and gentle Aloe Vera facewash
To ensure that you get all the benefits of the serum, you should first wash and cleanse your facial skin. The best way to do this is to use a mild, gentle face wash that cleanses without irritating, like the Mamaearth Aloe Vera Face Wash.
It is made of pure aloe vera gel, a well-known skin-friendly ingredient. Aloe vera moisturizes the skin, locking in the moisture for longer. It is also intensely soothing, making it a great choice for sensitive or irritated skin. This safe and gentle aloe vera-based face wash is also packed with antioxidants, making it a great companion for the Vitamin C serum for face.
Mamaearth’s Aloe Vera Face Wash also contains Vitamin E, another antioxidant, and glycerin, a powerful humectant that ensures skin stays hydrated. Like all other skincare or body care products of this brand, this aloe vera face wash also contains no harmful ingredients or toxic chemicals.
Some expert tips for using the serum
First-time users of Vitamin C Serum should use it once a week, preferably at night, after cleansing and toning. This is because the effects of Vitamin C are better after exposure to UV rays during the day. Start with a 10% concentration – or 5% if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Keep the serum stored properly and check for the color of the serum. If it turns brown or dark orange, it has probably gone bad and needs to be disposed of.