Vitamin C is a popular and  well-sought after ingredient commonly used in skincare.  Its increased popularity has led to the formulation of everything from cleansers, to serums, and moisturizers.  Many people sing its praises and consider it to be the holy grail of skincare ingredients, especially when it comes to anti-aging.

Vitamin C has a number of benefits for the skin.  It is well known for its antioxidant properties, which help to protect and prolong the skin’s youthful appearance. When used consistently, this powerful ingredient can work wonders on the skin.

Vitamin C is a  naturally occurring  vitamin commonly found in many fruits and vegetable.  Vitamin C is water soluble, but must be in a stable form when used in skincare. It has a myriad of benefits when applied topically, including:

• Fight free radicals and environmental stressors which accelerate the aging process and damage the skin.
• Protect the skin against harmful UV rays and damage caused by photoaging.
• Boost the skin’s natural collagen production, helping maintain overall firmness and skin elasticity.
• Brightens the complexion and fades hyperpigmentation. With consistent usage vitamin C will minimize the appearance of dark spots, giving the skin a brighter, more even tone.
• Improve hydration levels in the skin, making  the skin plumper and more youthful in appearance. 

Serums are an excellent addition to any skincare routine, as they  give an additional boost (especially) when used in conjunction with creams. Out of all the products containing vitamin C on the market,  vitamin c serums remain the most popular and in high demand.  Most serums in the beauty space usually contain between 10-25%.
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First and foremost, vitamin C must be in a stable form in order to work properly on the skin.  Look for L-ascorbic acid or ascorbyl glucoside on the ingredient list before making a purchase. For those of you with sensitive skin that is easily irritated, look for products contain Ascorbyl glucoside as it is more stable and less irritating to the skin.  Ascorbyl glucoside is also much more effective than L-ascorbic acid.

The second thing to remember when choosing a vitamin C serum is the concentration. Potent  vitamin C serums containing high percentages of vitamin C can irritate the skin and lead to PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Less is more when it comes to vitamin C. Start off with a serum of 10% or less. Leave the serums of 25% to seasoned users and more tolerant skin types.

Vitamin C can be used either day or night.  Some deem it more effective when used during the day, while others say it’s best used at night.  It’s up for debate.  I personally prefer to use vitamin C during the day, as it protects the skin from free radicals, harmful UV rays, and pollution. When used  with sunscreen during daytime hours, vitamin C adds an extra layer of protection from the sun. 

​Always apply vitamin C on a clean face, after cleansing and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. Remember that building up tolerance is key, when applying vitamin c to the skin.  It’s important to watch your skin’s reaction during the  start of your journey with vitamin C. Start off by using  vitamin c serum every other day or every two days to avoid irritation.  When the skin builds up tolerance, you can start to apply it everyday. 

This serum by Dr. Dennis Gross was carefully formulated with 15% vitamin C and lactic acid.  This vitamin C serum visibly improves uneven skin tone, tackles dark spots, damage from sun exposure, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Turn back the hands of time and reveal a more luminous complexion with this serum. 

Created by Vichy Laboratoires, this powerful serum contains 15% vitamin c, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and pine bark extract. The perfect formulation to leave you with brighter, more even toned skin. It also works to combat the signs of aging and correct free radical damage. I really loved this product. The brightening effects were seen almost immediately after a couple of uses.  Introduce this serum into your daily routine with caution as it can cause some irritation. 

Probably one of the most gentle vitamin C serums on the market. La Roche-Posay C10 contains 10% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin and thermal spring waters.  This serum works well on all skin types, targeting everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dull skin and hyperpigmentation. I found it easy to apply, as it has a  great texture and doesn't leave the skin sticky. What's great about this serum is that it can be applied with or without using moisturiser. 

If you're looking for a good brightening serum, then you're in luck.  This high performance serum uses a super stable form of vitamin C and advanced bio-technology to deliver results. Formulated in tandem with AHA and peptides, Dermalogica Biolumin-C will give you firmer and more radiant looking skin. If you want a high performance serum that has brightening power and lives up to its claims, then this product is your number one choice. 

Although pricey, this medical-grade serum by Dr. Barbara Stürm is worth every penny.  The Good C contains a cocktail of three types of vitamin C, zinc, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera.  This serum has an agreeable texture that is easy to apply and penetrates the skin quickly.

C-Firma Day Serum by Drunk Elephant promises to firm, brighten and correct sun damage. This potent serum is packed with antioxidants, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes. The only thing not to like about this serum is that it requires you to mix the ingredients yourself. To activate the serum, simply combine the liquid serum with the vitamin C powder. Once activated, the serum will last up to six months. The results are nothing short of spectacular. 

If you're looking for a cheap and cheery serum that doesn't break your pockets, then Cerave Vitamin C Serum would be an excellent choice.  It contains a wonderful cocktail of 10% vitamin C, ceramides, panthenol, andhyaluronic acid so it's guaranteed to work.  This serum is lightweight, goes on smoothly, and absorbs relatively quickly. The only downside about this product is that it contains denatured alcohol, so it may be irritating and drying for some.

Paula's Choice Boost C15 contains a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, which was first popularised by SkinCeuticals. Though not quite the same, this formulation contains only 15% stabilised vitamin C and a dose of peptides.  If you're looking for brighter, younger looking skin then give this serum a try. 

Obagi is medical grade skincare line. It's no wonder why the Professional-C Serum delivers such amazing results. This high performance serum contains 20% vitamin C. Highly effective, this serum lives up to its claims. This serum leaves the skin brighter and deeply hydrated after the first few uses.  The only con is this product contains alcohol, which can irritate and dry out the skin. 

What this product lacks in price tag, it makes up for in formulation.  Don't be deterred by the low price point.  Maelove The Glow Maker has been called the perfect "dupe"  of the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum.  This serum visibly plumps the skin, hydrates, brightens and evens out the complexion. It is weightless, spreads on easily, absorbs quickly, and is gentle on the skin. I feel in love on the very first use. My skin was glowing and noticeably brighter within the fist couple of uses.  I honestly couldn't find a reason not to like this product.  You can definitely purchase this product without hesitation. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. 

Growing up I always heard the phrase, "prevention is better than cure". My father is a medical doctor, and he probably said this at least once a day. My brain was naturally programmed to prevent things before they actually happened. Coupled with the fact that I was raised around extremely glamorous women who spent a fortune on skincare and looking after themselves, it was only logical that I combine the two perspectives.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to skincare.  From the very beginning my approach to skincare has been preventative.  Take care of yourself now, look good later.  There's no sense in waiting until your skin has problems, before you start taking care of it. 

First and foremost, I've always used sunscreen.  I really started using sunscreen in the late 1990's - early 2000's. I can't remember the actual date, but it's been part of my skincare regimen for over two decades.  I remember seeing an article in Elle Magazine about the damage UV rays can cause to skin.  I was absolutely horrified to see what people's skin  actually looked like using UV photography.  I was amazed by all the hidden  sun damage  that the UV photos revealed.

When I was in my late teens - early  twenties, I had a pretty basic skincare routine that consisted of about six products that I used on a consistent basis: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, mask, scrub and eye cream.  From time to time I would additional products to combat acne or hyper pigmentation if needed.

Once I got to my late twenties, I implemented a really good moisturizer that I used both night and day. As I reached my thirties, I started investing in night creams for more hydration.  By the time I reached my late thirties, I added serum for an extra boost of hydration.  Keeping the skin well hydrated is essential if you want it to remain supple and avoid fine lines prematurely.  ​

By the time I reached forty one, I had officially graduated to the world of retinoids.  As we age, cellular turnover decreases. Retinoids help to give the skin a boost by increasing cellular turnover. I use a retinoid based serum at least three nights a week.  

Now at the ripe age of forty six, people always me, "what are you using?" I've had a pretty consistent skincare regimen throughout the years.  I've always had a natural approach to skincare, avoided doing too much, but carefully observing how my skin changed over time.

The human body changes every decade or so, as well as your skin. The skin you have in your teens is not the same as the skin you have in your twenties, nor the same as the skin in your thirties or forties.  This is why it's important to adjust our skincare regimen every so often to keep abreast of these changes, because the products that worked for us in our twenties will not work for us when we reach our forties.  
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Genetics play a huge part in aging gracefully. It's also important to keep in mind that all DNA was not created equal.  There are people out there who have "super genes", and age incredibly slowly.  That said, you cannot rely on DNA alone.  There are three other factors to keep in mind: diet, lifestyle, and melanin.  

Diet is important for your overall health, not just anti-aging.  As the saying goes, "you are what you eat". Avoiding consuming certain foods that age you can help to keep you looking younger for longer.  Your lifestyle choices play a big part as well.  Choosing a healthy lifestyle over destructive habits will help you retain that youthful glow that people often lose over the years.  And lastly, melanin plays a huge role in the aging process.  People with darker skin tones tend to age slower.  Having more melanin can help delay the signs of aging. Melanin can provide some protection against wrinkles and skin cancer.  But that doesn't mean people with heavily pigmented skin do not age quickly or get skin cancer either.   

It's always a good idea to keep these four factors in mind when creating a skincare regimen.  By sticking to a consistent skincare routine right from the start that is suited to your skin type, a healthy lifestyle, and clean diet, you'll be able to have youthful looking skin for longer.

I am a firm believer in preserving what you have.  It's worth it to invest in your skin, because prevention is better than cure. ​