Topical vitamin C serums protect your skin during the summer months

A topical vitamin C product containing a concentration of at least 10% L-Ascorbic acid should be part of your anti-aging regime because vitamin C has a definite impact on the protection and rejuvenation of your skin.

Vitamin C in the form L-Ascorbic acid will protect your skin against the harmful side effects of sun exposure. Topical vitamin C will also neutralize free radicals that can harm cell membranes and other components of skin tissue. Topical vitamin C may protect your skin against sun damage, but it will not block it from UVA and UVB rays. You’ll still need to apply a SPF product as a sunscreen.

Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant. In fact, it’s the only antioxidant that has been proven to increase collagen production.

It’s a well known fact that collagen decreases with age. Your level of sun exposure (aka photoaging) in your lifetime will also contribute to accelerating the rate at which you lose collagen. Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid will help boost collagen production and maintain healthy skin.

There are many products that contain vitamin C, but only products or serums containing vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid can have a direct effect on the skin. L-ascorbic acid is unstable and tends to break down quickly, that’s why it is so difficult to use this form of vitamin C in the production of cosmetic products. Ask your beauty expert or check the label to confirm that you are buying a product that contains stable vitamin C acid at a low pH and concentration of at least 10 per cent.

Vitamin C products have a short shelf life because they are prone to oxidation (they will turn brownish in colour over time). Most serums will last for up to 6 months when kept in a dark and cool area. When you do buy your vitamin C product, you’ll want to ensure that it’s perfectly sealed. Another tricky thing about vitamin C is its tendency to stain. I’ve learned the hard way that the yellowish colour of vitamin C will stain pillowcases and duvet covers. You might want to use older sheet sets during your nightly vitamin C treatment periods.