As mom always said, take your vitamins. These essential nutrients are obviously necessary for a healthy diet and body, but there’s also one major organ that’s impacted by your intake (or lack of) of vitamins: your skin. Remember, people, your skin is the largest organ of your body, so you should nurture it by… rubbing vitamins onto your skin?
Yep. There’s one vitamin that’s essential to slather on your face, and that’s vitamin C.
Vitamin C: A Skincare Essential
According to Healthline, vitamin C-infused skincare is one of the best routes to go for brighter, tighter, and clearer skin. “When applied topically, Vitamin C is a powerhouse in the quest to prevent visible aging,” says Kerry Benjamin, Licensed Esthetician and Founder of StackedSkincare. “It’s anti-inflammatory, hydrating, brightening, and even helps to firm skin by boosting collagen production.” Benjamin also notes that vitamin C can help improve results of other skincare ingredients, like chemical exfoliants and retinol, and helps protect the skin from environmental damage.
I know what you’re thinking: can’t you just incorporate more vitamin C into your diet instead of adding it to your daily skincare routine? While it is an important part to a healthy diet, Dr. Mostafa Omar—Research Scientist, Natural Product Chemist & Founder of skincare brand Phyto-C—says it won’t have the same beneficial effects.
“When Vitamin C is digested, a large amount of the L-Asorbic acid breaks down before it reaches the skin, which makes it less effective,” Dr. Omar says. “Ingesting it does not have the same impact. When applied topically, your skin acts like a reservoir and can retain the Vitamin C for a longer period of time—up to 72 hours.”
Who Can Use Vitamin C?
The experts agree: everyone should try to add a bit of vitamin C into their skincare routines for a glowing, radiant finish. “Because of its wide range of benefits, there isn’t a single person who shouldn’t use it,” says Benjamin. “Just be sure that you’re choosing a product with a high concentration and its package is opaque and airtight as Vitamin C easily oxidizes and loses its potency when exposed to air and sunlight.”
With that being said, vitamin C can be harsh on sensitive skin types, so Dr. Omar suggests patch-testing it on your skin before putting it all over your face.
Want to give your skin a dose of good ol’ vitamin C? Then check out our favorite vitamin-inflused skincare products, below.
StackedSkincare Multi Acid Body Peel
If you want a hefty infusion of vitamin C into your skincare regimen, then grab this fast-acting elixir. It contains the power of vitamin C-derivative Sodium Ascorbic Phosphate, along with other skincare heroes like retinol, to acne, aging, and hyperpigmentation all at once.
OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum
This fan-favorite serum is filled with all of the vitamin C your skin has been thirsting for. Pumped with the essential vitamin and a boost of youth-preserving collagen, this serum will give you all of the brightening and hydration you need for a selfie-worthy glow.
M-61 Vitablast C Face Oil
If your skin tends to end up a tacky, sticky mess after applying serums, then try this lightweight option. It’s the only facial oil on the market infused with vitamin C, and soaks up instantly into your pores—for all of the benefits, without an oily finish.
Phyto-C E in C Serum
Get all the benefits of vitamin C, plus an extra skincare goodie: vitamin E. This nutrient acts as a moisturizer and antioxidant, giving your skin the ultimate treatment in one simple step.
OMOROVICZA Daily Vitamin C Serum
This formula contains vitamin C, as well as a few other skincare favorites: hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisturizing niacinamide—two of our go-to’s for battling winter dryness.
Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash
Need some more power from your basic face wash? Then try out this cult-favorite pick. It uses our favorite vitamin to rid your skin of flakes and spots, while hyaluronic acid plumps and quenches for a clean finish, sans the tight and dry feel other washes can leave.
Sunday Riley C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
For the ultimate dose of vitamin C, grab this bestselling formula. It contains 15% vitamin C—one of the highest concentrations on the market—to instantly brighten your skin while working to rid your complexion of any sagging and hyperpigmentation. Seriously, it can’t get better than this.